Adverse events following therapeutic plasma exchange monitored for up to 1 month

Abstract Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal therapy used to treat various diseases by removing or selectively modifying specific plasma components or blood constituents. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to monitor complications occurring within 1 month after TPE and to examine their relationship with patients’ demographic characteristics and procedural variations. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over 1 year, including 60 patients who underwent 150 TPE sessions. Data on demographics, clinical parameters, and post-procedure outcomes were gathered and analyzed. Results: Among the 60 patients (150 TPE sessions), the most common age group was 30–49 years (52%), followed by 10–29 years (44%). Females slightly outnumbered males (52% vs. 48%). Of the 39 patients available for follow-up, only two (5.13%) reported lower back pain. Patients with lower back pain had the highest mean age (48.00 ± 32.00 years) compared to those without complications (31.89 ± 11.75 years). The maximum body mass index was also higher in patients with lower back pain (34.52 ± 11.19) than in those without complications (33.14 ± 5.31). Patients with lower back pain showed the greatest variation in hemoglobin (0.73 ± 3.16 g/dL) and hematocrit (1.95 ± 4.45%). The highest mean change in prothrombin time (0.01 ± 3.24 s) was seen in patients with bipedal edema. Variations in SpO₂ were minimal across all groups, with the largest change observed in cases with lower back pain (0.00 ± 2.00%). Conclusion: One month after TPE, most patients remained clinically stable with few complications. Overall, TPE was a safe procedure, with only minor, self-limiting complications observed during follow-up.