The impact of therapeutic plasma exchange and double filtration plasmapheresis on hemostasis in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the impact of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on hemostasis in renal transplant recipients.

Materials and methods: 54 renal transplant patients with an acute humoral rejection were treated with therapeutic apheresis methods: 24 patients with DFPP and 30 patients with TPE. In all patients was performed 3-4 session. We analyzed international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen concentration and platelet count just before and after each session, and after the course of all procedures. After TPE plasma replacement was performed with an equivalent volume of a fresh frozen plasma. After DFPP was performed 10-20% albumin solution.

Results: After each DFPP session was occurred an increased INR and aPTT. After course of all DFPP procedures fibrinogen level decreased by 46%. It was associated with increase of APTT and INR by 35% and 32% respectively. Mainly it was associated with dose of the procedures (volume of plasma perfusion), but not with the plasma separator type. One patient noted hemorrhagic complication. After each TPE session level of fibrinogen concentration, INR and aPPT remained in the normal range, but there was a moderate reduction in platelet count, more pronounced than during DFPP. Hemorrhagic complications were not.

Conclusion: Double cascade plasmapheresis and therapeutic plasma exchange generate preconditions for hemorrhagic complications such as increased aPTT and INR, reduce fibrinogen concentration. However, bleeding complications are rare. At the same time, during high volume DFPP should be careful when initially level of fibrinogen is low. In this case fibrinogen concentration should be controlled after the procedure for timely replenishment of its deficit.

Keywords: activated partial thromboplastin time; antibodies; desensitization; double filtration plasmapheresis; international normalized ratio; rejection; renal graft; renal transplant; tacrolimus; therapeutic plasma exchange.