Plasmafereesiä

Plasmafereesiä, also known as plasmapheresis or therapeutic apheresis, is a medical procedure that removes plasma from the blood. During the process, blood is drawn from the patient and passed through a special machine that separates the plasma from the blood cells. The plasma is then either discarded or treated to remove harmful substances, and the blood cells are returned to the patient, often mixed with a plasma substitute.

This procedure is used to treat a variety of medical conditions where abnormal components in the plasma are causing illness. Examples include certain autoimmune diseases like myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, as well as conditions involving high levels of cholesterol or specific antibodies. Plasmafereesiä can also be used to collect plasma for donation, which is then processed into various blood products. The specific protocol and duration of plasmafereesiä depend on the patient's condition and the underlying disease being treated. It is generally performed in a hospital or specialized apheresis center under the supervision of trained medical professionals.