PLASMAPHERESIS
It is a procedure to harvest plasma from the whole blood and returning
the cellular components to the donor. Plasma is harvested by automated
machine.
Selection of donors
In an occasional plasmapheresis in which donors undergo the process
once every 12 weeks the standards for whole blood donation should
apply.
In a 'serial' plasmapheresis in which plasma is donated more frequently
than once every 12 weeks, the donor should be tested before every
pheresis procedure - Haemoglobin and/or haemotocrit should be > 12
g/dl and/or Hct 36% - Total serum protein - should not be below 6.0
gm/dl