Bleeding occurred in 1.3% (IAS), 2.3% (TPE) and 3.1% (TPE/IAS) of treatments. Conclusion: Hypofibrinogenemia occurs in 20% of patients after TPE and TPE/IAS, but rarely after IAS. IAS removes fibrinogen independently of volume processed. Overall, bleeding is rare in apheresis.

What are the side effects of plasmapheresis?

Plasmapheresis does not have any substantial side effects. It is a painless procedure but may involve some level of discomfort. The most common side effect is low blood pressure, which can cause drowsiness, nausea, coldness, sweating, abdominal cramps, or blurred vision for a brief period.

What is the most common reaction seen in the plasmapheresis area?

There were side effects during 612 (12%) of the 5235 procedures done, involving 252 (40%) of the 627 patients treated. The most common reactions were fever, chills, urticaria, muscle cramps, or paresthesias; these reactions were encountered more frequently when plasma was used in the replacement fluid.