Navigating the therapeutic tightrope: Precision use of plasmapheresis and continuous renal replacement therapy in liver failure

Table 1 Differentiation between plasmapheresis (therapeutic plasma exchange) and hemodialysis[15]

Characteristic	Hemodialysis	TPE-membrane filtration	TPE-centrifugation
Mechanism	Diffusion and/or convection	Convection	Centrifugal force
Blood flow, mL/minute	Continuous: 100-300; intermittent: 200 > 400	150-200	10-150
Blood volume in circuit, mL	160-280	125	180
Plasma extraction, %	N/A	30	80
Molecular weight cutoff, Da	< 15000	> 15000	> 15000
Vd, L/kg	Moderate (≤ 1.5-2)	Low (< 0.3)	Low (< 0.3)
Protein binding, %	< 80	> 80	> 80
Anticoagulation	Heparin	Heparin	Citrate
Sterilisation	Ethylene oxide; steam; electron beam; γ-irradiation	γ-irradiation; ethylene oxide	γ-irradiation; ethylene oxide

TPE: Therapeutic plasma exchange; Vd: Volume of distribution; N/A: Not applicable.