[Exchange transfusion via a peripheral arteriovenous vascular access in premature infants]

Exchange transfusions were performed in two very low birth weight infants using peripheral arteries and veins. Patient 1, a 1020 g infant of 34 weeks gestation developed cholestatic jaundice with plasmatic coagulation disturbance and hyperkalemia, patient 2 a 820 g preterm baby of 26 weeks gestation manifested hyperbilirubinemia. After cannulation of the radial artery blood was withdrawn from the arterial catheter, while simultaneously equal volumes of warmed donor blood were replaced by a second operator through a venous catheter. Subependymal hemorrhage which was demonstrated by ultrasound in both patients prior to the exchange transfusion did not enlarge.