title: Plasmapheresis: first year of experience at Humana Hospital-Alaska.
abstract: This report summarizes the first year of experience with therapeutic plasmapheresis at Human Hospital-Alaska. Eleven patients had plasmapheresis; 6 patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome, and patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), Eaton-Lambert syndrome, myasthenia gravis, post transfusion purpura, and multiple myeloma complicated by hyperviscosity and coagulopathy. Many of our patients appeared to benefit from plasmapheresis, but we also report a variety of complications. Our approach to establishing plasmapheresis in a community hospital setting is discussed.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Neubauer
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000413:Alaska; D005260:Female; D006777:Hospitals, Proprietary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000009:adverse effects; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000628:therapy*; D011693:Purpura / Q000628:therapy*