| exchange transfusion | Removal of most of a patient's blood followed by introduction of an equal amount from donors. Synonym: exsanguination transfusion, substitution transfusion, total transfusion. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| exchange transfusion, whole blood | Repetitive withdrawal of small amounts of blood and replacement with donor blood until a large proportion of the blood volume has been exchanged. Used in treatment of foetal erythroblastosis, hepatic coma, sickle cell anaemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septicaemia, burns, thrombotic thrombopenic purpura, and fulminant malaria. (12 Dec 1998) |