Abstract
Animal experiments were undertaken to determine the feasibility of plasma exchange in neonates and infants. Five mongrel puppies weighing 2-5kg underwent plasma exchange using a venovenous extracorporeal circuit of 80ml of priming volume, in which a membrane plasma separator (surface area: 0.3 or 0.15m2) was inserted. When the 18G or 16G catheter was used, 25 or 40ml/min. of blood flow rate was respectively obtained without increasing line pressure over 100mmHg. A transmembrane pressure was around 0mmHg when plasma flow rate was 1/3-1/4 of blood flow rate. Within 60 minutes, 100ml/kg of fresh frozen plasma was replaced in a hemodynamically stable condition. However, hematocrit decreased by 5-40% after the exchange because of priming the circuit with plasma. Based on these data, the plasma exchange for neonates and infants seems to be feasible.
