Plasmaferez

Plasmaferez is a medical procedure that involves separating plasma from blood. During the process, blood is drawn from the patient and passed through a machine called a separator. This machine centrifugally spins the blood or uses a membrane filter to separate the plasma from the cellular components, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The cellular components are then returned to the patient, along with a plasma substitute or donor plasma.

The primary purpose of plasmaferez is to remove harmful substances from the blood, such as antibodies, toxins, or abnormal proteins. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases like Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis, as well as certain blood disorders and kidney diseases. The procedure can also be used to collect plasma for transfusion to other patients.

Plasmaferez is generally considered safe, but like any medical procedure, it carries potential risks. These can include bruising or bleeding at the needle insertion site, temporary drops in blood pressure, or allergic reactions to the anticoagulant used or the plasma substitute. The frequency and duration of plasmaferez treatments are determined by the specific medical condition being treated and the patient's response. It is performed in a hospital or specialized clinic setting under the supervision of trained medical professionals.