Performance characteristics of the PowerFlow apheresis port: Early experience.

We prospectively evaluated the Bard PowerFlow Implantable Apheresis IV Port in four patients undergoing outpatient therapeutic plasma exchange over 18 to 97 days. Three had bilateral internal jugular access ports, and one had a single left internal jugular access port for the inlet line with return via antecubital vein. Two patients receiving 5% albumin as replacement fluid achieved peak inlet flow of 99 ± 5 mL/min and 101 ± 6 mL/min, and peak plasma flow of 53 ± 6 and 47 ± 6 mL/min, respectively.

Optimization of infusional calcium gluconate for prevention of hypocalcemic reactions during therapeutic plasma exchange.

We sought to optimize direct intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate (CaGlu) for maintaining plasma ionized calcium concentration ([Ca ]) and preventing hypocalcemic reactions during 34 consecutive 1-volume therapeutic plasma exchanges (TPEs) in eight patients. CaGlu, 2 g in 50 mL of 0.9% NaCl, was prepared by our hospital pharmacy and infused at either 1.

Prophylactic infusion of calcium gluconate to prevent a symptomatic fall in plasma ionized calcium during therapeutic plasma exchange: A comparison of two methods.

We compared two methods of calcium gluconate infusion to maintain plasma ionized calcium ([Ca ]) during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) performed using the Spectra Optia Apheresis System. Method A, our legacy method, consisted of adding 5 mL of 10% calcium gluconate to each 500 mL bottle of 5% albumin replacement fluid. Method B used an accessory IV infusion of calcium gluconate (2 g in 50 mL of 0.