Plasma exchange during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with severe hemolysis in cardiac surgery

Severe mechanical hemolysis after cardiac surgery is a rare occurrence but one of the most common complications leading to reoperation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency and safety of plasma exchange (PE) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Five patients required PE because of severe hemolysis after cardiac surgery in Fuwai Hospital from January 2002 to December 2007: two with periprosthetic leakage and infective endocarditis, one with periprosthetic leakage, one with unsatisfied right ventricular outflow tract patching, and one with thromboses during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). They all needed blood purification to avoid acute renal insufficiency. The amount of transfused crystalloid solution, nonprotein colloid, plasma, and blood were 1,620+/-906.6 mL, 1,960+/-939.7 mL, 2,240+/-844.4 mL, and 680+/-228.1 mL. The volume of PE was 3,800+/-1,701.5 mL, and the volume of ultrafiltrate was 2,470+/-1,327.4 mL. The concentration of free hemoglobin (FHb) before PE, after PE, and before discharge were 3,840+/-538 mg/L, 325+/-27 mg/L, and 60.4+/-27 mg/L, respectively. Five patients were successfully treated with PE during CPB without major complications. All patients recovered well. Plasma exchange during CPB for severe hemolysis is a safe technique. Acute renal failure induced by severe hemolysis can be prevented by PE.