Plazmaferezis

Plazmaferezis, also known as plasmapheresis, is a medical procedure that involves separating a person's blood into its components, removing the plasma, and then returning the remaining blood cells and infused plasma or a plasma substitute back to the body. This process is used to treat a variety of medical conditions where the patient's plasma contains harmful substances.

During the procedure, blood is drawn from the patient, typically through an intravenous line. It is then passed through a machine called a separator, which centrifuges the blood or uses a filter to separate the plasma from the blood cells. The plasma, which is the liquid portion of the blood containing proteins, antibodies, and other substances, is then removed. Depending on the condition being treated, the removed plasma may be replaced with a donor's plasma, a synthetic plasma substitute like albumin, or the blood cells may be returned to the body without any replacement.

Plazmaferezis is primarily employed to remove harmful antibodies, toxins, or abnormal proteins from the blood. It is commonly used in the management of autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and certain types of vasculitis. It can also be used in cases of hyperviscosity syndrome, where the blood is too thick, or to remove certain toxins in poisoning cases. The procedure is generally safe, but potential risks include infection, blood clots, and reactions to transfused plasma or substitutes. It is performed under medical supervision in a hospital or specialized clinic.