Table 4.

Complications of plasma exchange treatment for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).*

ComplicationsPercentage of Patients with Major Complications
* Adapted from references 4 and 49. Major catheter-related complications included pneumothorax or hemothorax caused by the insertion procedure; sepsis requiring systemic antimicrobial treatment; and thrombosis requiring line replacement or anticoagulant treatment. Major plasma-related complications included hypoxemia or hypotension requiring more than oxygen administration or volume replacement and allergic reactions requiring more than Benadryl and hydrocortisone treatment. No transfusion-transmitted infections were observed. Unintentional plateletpheresis may cause persistent thrombocytopenia, that may be mistaken for continued activity of TTP. 
Central venous catheter-related 
    Insertion procedure 4% 
    Sepsis 15% 
    Thrombosis 10% 
Plasma-related 
    Allergic 4% 
    Infection 
Instrument-related  
    Unintentional plateletpheresis Unknown 
ComplicationsPercentage of Patients with Major Complications
* Adapted from references 4 and 49. Major catheter-related complications included pneumothorax or hemothorax caused by the insertion procedure; sepsis requiring systemic antimicrobial treatment; and thrombosis requiring line replacement or anticoagulant treatment. Major plasma-related complications included hypoxemia or hypotension requiring more than oxygen administration or volume replacement and allergic reactions requiring more than Benadryl and hydrocortisone treatment. No transfusion-transmitted infections were observed. Unintentional plateletpheresis may cause persistent thrombocytopenia, that may be mistaken for continued activity of TTP. 
Central venous catheter-related 
    Insertion procedure 4% 
    Sepsis 15% 
    Thrombosis 10% 
Plasma-related 
    Allergic 4% 
    Infection 
Instrument-related  
    Unintentional plateletpheresis Unknown 

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal