Indications of plasmapheresis and selection of different substitution solutions.

Substitution solutions used for plasmapheresis (PH) may be human albumin, serum protein conserves or plasma. 746 plasmapheresis carried out on 88 patients with a variety of diseases were examined and the side effects due to the substitution solutions were investigated. Side effects occurred in less than 10% of the cases where the four substitution solutions were used. The least side effects were observed in treatments using human albumin as substitution. Side effects increased for serum protein conserves, followed lyophilised plasma and were highest for fresh frozen plasma. In view of these possible side effects the criteria for PH should be strictly observed and the substitution solution should meet clinical requirements.