Plasmafereesi

Plasmafereesi, also known as plasmapheresis or therapeutic plasma exchange, is a medical procedure where a person's blood is passed through a machine to separate the plasma from the blood cells. The plasma, which is the liquid component of blood, is then treated or replaced with a substitute solution before being returned to the body. This process is used to remove harmful substances from the blood that may be contributing to a disease.

The procedure involves drawing blood from the patient, typically through an intravenous catheter. The blood then enters an apheresis machine, which uses a process called centrifugation or membrane filtration to separate the plasma. The remaining blood cells are mixed with a replacement fluid, such as albumin or a donor plasma, and returned to the patient. A single session can last from one to several hours, and multiple sessions may be required depending on the medical condition being treated.

Plasmafereesi is employed to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders. It can be used to remove antibodies that are attacking the body's own tissues, such as in Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and certain types of vasculitis. It can also be used to remove abnormal proteins, toxins, or excess cholesterol from the blood. While generally considered safe, potential risks include infection, blood clots, and adverse reactions to the replacement fluid. The decision to use plasmafereesi is made by a physician based on the patient's specific condition and its severity.