Exchange transfusion

Exchange transfusion is a potentially life-saving procedure that is done to counteract the effects of serious jaundice or changes in the blood due to diseases such as sickle cell anemia. This procedure involves slowly removing the person's blood and replacing it with fresh donor blood or plasma.

Procedure

The procedure is done in a hospital or medical center. The health care provider inserts a needle into a vein and attaches the needle to a tube that is connected to a blood cell separator machine. The machine removes the person's blood, separates the blood cells from the plasma, and then returns the blood cells to the person's body. The plasma, which contains the disease-causing substances, is discarded and replaced with healthy donor plasma.

Uses

Exchange transfusion is used to treat conditions such as:

• Severe anemia
• Sickle cell disease
• Thalassemia
• Malaria
• Babesiosis
• Hemolytic disease of the newborn

Risks

Like any procedure, exchange transfusion carries risks. These may include:

• Allergic reactions
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Graft-versus-host disease
• Hemolysis
• Hypocalcemia
• Hypothermia
• Hypovolemia
• Metabolic acidosis
• Transfusion reaction

See also

• Blood transfusion
• Plasma exchange
• Apheresis

External links

• MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Exchange Transfusion

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