Plasmapheresis and other extracorporeal filtration techniques in critical patients

Abstract

Plasmapheresis is an extracorporeal technique that eliminates macromolecules involved in pathological processes from plasma. A review is made of the technical aspects, main indications in critical care and potential complications of plasmapheresis, as well as of other extracorporeal filtration techniques such as endotoxin-removal columns and other devices designed to eliminate cytokines or modulate the inflammatory immune response in critical patients.

Keywords: Blood component removal; Critical care; Cuidados críticos; Eliminación de componentes sanguíneos; Endotoxinas; Endotoxins/isolation and purification; Hemoperfusion; Hemoperfusión; Plasmaféresis; Plasmapheresis; Polimixina/uso terapéutico; Polymyxins/therapeutic use.