Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Patient Safety

Contraindications:
Leukocytapheresis is contraindicated in acute myeloid leukemia FAB M3 (acute promyelocytic leukemia) because of the accompanying disseminated intravascular coagulation.³˒⁴ Other contraindications for the use of the Spectra Optia system are limited to those associated with the infusion of solutions and replacement fluids as required by the apheresis procedure and those associated with all types of automated apheresis systems.  

Adverse events of apheresis procedures can include:
Anxiety, headache, light-headedness, digital and/or facial paresthesia, fever, chills, hematoma, hyperventilation, nausea and vomiting, syncope (fainting), urticaria, hypotension, allergic reactions, infection, hemolysis, thrombosis in patient and device, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, coagulopathy, fatigue, hypomagnesemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, adverse tissue reaction, device failure/disposable set failure, air embolism, blood loss/anemia, electrical shock, fluid imbalance, and inadequate separation of blood components.

Reactions to blood products transfused during procedures can include:
Hemolytic transfusion reaction, immune-mediated platelet destruction, fever, allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), alloimmunization, posttransfusion purpura (PTP), transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), circulatory overload, hypothermia, metabolic complications, and transmission of infectious diseases and bacteria.⁵˒⁶

Restricted to prescription use only

• Operators must be familiar with the system's operating instructions.
• Procedures must be performed by qualified medical personnel.