I have plasma pharesis at least once a week, although when I first started, in August of 2008, I was having it three times a week. I have a permanent catheter embedded in my chest that goes into my vena cava vein. It exits my body just below my collar bone It's been there since September of 2008 and my understanding is that they can last for years. They tried doing it through the veins in my arm, but it didn't work and was excruciatingly painful. I have the PP every Friday afternoon at the Apharesis unit at a hospital near me. It take about 2.5 hours or so.