[Utility of plasmapheresis in intensive care]

We discuss the plasmapheresis (PE) carried out in an 18-bed polyvalent intensive care unit between the years 2003-2007. This article aims to report our experience in plasmapheresis performed with specific monitors for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) that shows the versatility of the use of these procedures in intensive care. The utility of these procedures include many different critical disease settings in our units (neurology, hematology, and rheumatology patients). In short, our experience in PE has led us to the conclusion that plasmapheresis is a simple extracorporeal depuration treatment that can be performed by staff trained in intensive care at any moment within a wide spectrum of clinical indications, with CRRT monitors and with minimum adverse effects.