Use of therapeutic plasmapheresis in heart surgery patients with hepatic insufficiency

: Therapeutic plasmapheresis is a highly effective method in the preparation of patients with hepatic insufficiency for operation on the heart under conditions of extracorporeal circulation. It leads to reduction of the bilirubin level and normalization of the main values of hepatic function. The positive effect of therapeutic plasmapheresis is less manifest in acute hepatorenal insufficiency developing after operation with extracorporeal circulation. The best effect of therapeutic plasmapheresis in the postoperative period was produced in patients in whom hemorrhages and the low cardiac output syndrome were removed.