Use of heparin for cytapheresis and plasmapheresis in a continuous flow centrifuge.

We evaluated the use of heparin in continuous flow centrifugation by continuous infusion. Doses were modified by assessment of the anticoagulant effect by the thrombin time dilution test (TTDT). Heparin is an efficient anticoagulant in continuous flow centrifugation and the TTDT is an effective and reliable method for control. The initial dose in leukapheresis is one unit per milliliter of blood during the first hour, then one-half the dose during the next hour, and then a one-quarter of the dose until the procedure is completed. A TTDT performed every 30 to 60 minutes will indicate whether the heparin dose should be modified. For plasmapheresis, it is necessary to determine the specific dose for each patient. There was no case of bleeding or extracorporeal coagulation of the blood.