Tandem plasmapheresis and hemodialysis.

Many patients requiring plasmapheresis (PE) have renal failure and also need hemodialysis. If done separately almost 6-7 h is required. Hence, we decided to perform the procedures simultaneously in those patients requiring both PE and hemodialysis. The plasmafilter was inserted into the extracorporeal circuit after the hemodialyzer. A total of 8 such sessions of tandem PE and hemodialysis were performed in 2 patients. This is called tandem PE/hemodialysis. The total procedure was completed in the same time as is required for routine hemodialysis. The total amount of priming fluid is also less when PE and hemodialysis are performed separately. Thus, it is economically beneficial to the hospital and also convenient to the patient. Apart from transient episodes of hypotension, which were corrected by saline infusion, no other complications were noted.