Con: High-volume plasma exchange application in nephrology and beyond.

Abstract

The rationale behind the use of plasma exchange (PE) includes the removal of autoantibodies and other plasma constituents, such as cytokines, complement components, neutrophil extracellular traps, and microparticles, and the substitution of missing plasma factors. The more established indications are associated with the beneficial effects of PE of reducing the plasma levels of pathogenic agents, although the efficiency of this process decreases during the course of the procedure as the substituted replacement fluid dilutes the patient's original plasma. Thus, removal can be more effective by repeating sessions rather than continuing so-called high-volume PE. The kinetics of PE efficiency have been extensively investigated and exchange between body compartments of substances to be removed is of considerable importance.