Plasmapheresis with Albumin as Main Substitute in Acute Hepatic Coma

Abstract

Seven patients with acute hepatic coma were treated with a single exchange transfusion followed by 2–8 plasmaphereses. The average volume of blood shed during each procedure was 5.5 liters making a total of 43 liters for each patient. Albumin was the main substitute for the plasma removed during the plasmaphereses. Five patients out of seven regained consciousness after 1, 3, 3, 4, and 6 plasmaphereses and four of them were cured. In the comparison group on the other hand, not one of the five patients survived.

Key-words:

• Albumins
• exchange transfusion
• gamma globulin
• hemorrhagic diathesis
• hepatic coma
• thrombopenia