Main complications of plasmapheresis

What are the main complications of plasmapheresis and how often do they occur?

Plasmapheresis is a relatively (but not entirely) safe procedure. Some registries reported a 4.2% incidence of adverse events, and just 1% of all apheresis procedures had to be interrupted due to an adverse event.

The most common adverse effects reported are paresthesias (0.52%), hypotension (0.5%), urticaria (0.34%), shivering, nausea, and electrolyte disturbances such as hypocalcemia, hypo- or hypernatremia, metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, and rarely hypophosphatemia.

Death is rare, occurring in less than 0.1% of all the procedures.

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