Talk:Plasmapheresis

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I removed the donor section (someone should probably write a new article) and hopefully cleaned it up some. I am not sure if plasmapheresis includes the treatment and return of the plasma, I am assuming it does because no one says, plasmapheresis and does not treat and return the plasma. Theblog 13:58, 02 October 2006

Much better, I've added a few minor bits and pieces.Felix-felix 09:28, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

No distinction is made between plasmapheresis and plasma exchange because they are one and the same. One could argue that one can undergo plasmapheresis (separating the blood into plasma and cellular components) without receiving somebody else's plasma (exchange), thus creating a fine distinction, but the terms are commonly used in both academic/professional and lay circles as being synonymous.

Sorry, only just seen your comment. I'm with MrHex below about the plasmapharesis an plasma exchange issue, although I take your point. However the article is not clear about the difference between plasma donation and theraputic plasma exchange, which has specific indications, complications etc.Felix-felix 10:17, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Clean up

This page needs a fair amount of work, there needs to be a distinction made between plasmapharesis alone and plasma exchange. I also think that the donation section is spurious and should be removed. Any objections?Felix-felix 13:26, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

I am a healthcare professional who has good experience with this procedure. A few comments:

1) Plasma exchange is not synonymous with plasmapheresis. As it is implied in the article this procedure can be used for donation of plasma therefore nothing is exchanged also it can be used for removal of the plasma and replacing it with other fluids, usually Normal Saline or Albumin rather than Plasma. This latter process is called Plasma Exchange. It may be true that some professionals use these two terms interchangeably, but for an encyclopedia that strives for universal acceptance, thes distinctions are essential.

2) The donation part is both inaccurate and irrelevant. It is inaccurate when it talks about the volume removed and the IV access and some other points. It is irrelevant for the most part since it is more suitable for patient information web sites and such.

3) There is no mentioning of the mechanism of the process.

In the next few days I am planning to perform some major edits on this page. MrHex 22:35, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

Good, I'll wait for your edits so we can put our heads together..Felix-felix 10:14, 17 August 2006 (UTC)