Stroke and Gangrene: Complications of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Therapy

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Abstract
Two patients underwent therapeutic plasma exchange therapy. One patient with advanced rheumatoid arthritis developed a stroke after his 5th exchange. The other patient, with progressive systemic sclerosis, required a below the knee amputation secondary to shunt problems. These cases are presented to caution physicians in selecting patients for [plasma] pheresis procedures; major complications can occur with this technique.