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Nimesh Patel: Understanding Plasmapheresis – A Clinical Overview
Nimesh Patel/LinkedIn
May 25, 2026, 14:59

Nimesh Patel: Understanding Plasmapheresis – A Clinical Overview

Nimesh Patel, National Board Of Examinations in Medical Sciences at CKS Hospitals, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Understanding Plasmapheresis: A Clinical Overview

Plasmapheresis—also known as therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE)—is a critical procedure used to remove large molecules such as pathogenic autoantibodies, immune complexes, or toxins from a patient’s plasma.

When the removal of circulating substances is required to halt or reverse disease progression, TPE becomes an essential intervention.

Key Clinical Indications

  • Neurology: Myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
  • Hematology: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and Hyperviscosity syndrome.
  • Nephrology: Anti-GBM disease (Goodpasture syndrome) and ANCA-associated vasculitis.
  • Immunology and Other: Transplant rejection (ABO-incompatible) and Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.

Potential Complications

While generally well-tolerated, the extracorporeal circuit and plasma replacement process carry inherent risks.

  • Hypocalcemia: Commonly caused by citrate toxicity used for anticoagulation, which can lead to tingling, muscle cramps, or cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Hypotension: Often related to volume shifts or patient sensitivity to the procedure.
  • Infection/Access-related: Risks such as bacteremia or thrombosis associated with central venous catheter placement.
  • Coagulopathy: Increased bleeding risk resulting from the removal of clotting factors.
  • Allergic Reactions: Sensitivity to replacement fluids (e.g., albumin or fresh frozen plasma), ranging from mild urticaria to anaphylaxis.

Educational Disclaimer:

This content is intended for educational purposes only. Clinical decisions should always be individualized based on patient condition, clinical judgment, and institutional protocols.”

Nimesh Patel

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Albumin Allergic reactions Anaphylaxis ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Anti-GBM disease Anticoagulation Antiphospholipid Syndrome APS Autoantibody Bacteremia Blood cardiac arrhythmia Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy CIDP Coagulopathy Fresh Frozen Plasma Goodpasture syndrome Guillain-Barré Syndrome Health Hematology Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today Hyperviscosity syndrome hypocalcemia Hypotension Immunology Infection Medicine myasthenia gravis Nephrology Neurology Nimesh Patel Plasma Donation Plasmapheresis Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura TPE Transplant Rejection TTP urticaria
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