Plasmapheresis is the separation process in which the plasma is separated from the blood cells. The plasma is replaced with other solutions such as saline or albumin which is first treated and then returned to the body. This process is used in a lot of diseases such as dengue where the platelet count decreases considerably. The process is similar to kidney dialysis in this the antibodies that are present in the plasma attack the immune system and then the entire plasma is removed with the help of a machine and then replaced with a substitute or a good plasma.
Purpose of plasmapheresis
There are a variety of autoimmune disorders and diseases that requires plasmapheresis. Some of the major diseases in which plasmapheresis is used include
- Myasthenia gravis
- Guillian-Barre syndrome
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Autoimmune disease Sickle cell disease
Procedure:
- During the process of plasmapheresis, the person is asked to rest on the table or a cot. Then a needle or a catheter is inserted into the most robust artery.
- The Replacement is returned and the plasma flows into the body through a tube that is placed in the arm of or the foot.
- The entire procedure takes two to three hours and the frequency of the treatment also depends upon the condition of the person that varies.
- The entire process is flawless but requires absolute precision in order to restrict the chances of having an infection.
