Plasmapheresis has proven beneficial for patients with the Guillain-Barre syndrome. North American and French trials have identified parameters for guiding the therapeutic process.
Initiation of therapy: within 14 days of the onset of symptoms
The target total volume: 200 – 250 mL per kg ideal body weight over multiple sessions.
where:
• According to the Technical Manual of the AABB, the plasma volume is 40 mL/kg for adult males and 36 mL/kg for adult females.
• The total volume removed is approximately 5 – 6 plasma volumes.
Schedule: every other day over 7 – 14 days. One determinant is whether pheresis is performed over the weekend vs only during weekdays.
Additional apheresis may be indicated with patients who:
(1) are severely affected
(2) show delayed stabilization or improvement to initial exchanges
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