Apheresis

Apheresis (also known as ‘plasmapheresis’) is a medical procedure where a portion of a patient's blood is removed, certain components are separated, and the remaining blood is returned to the body. It can be used to heal diseases, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or to treat various illnesses, including multiple sclerosis and hemolytic anemia. Apheresis is also beneficial in the management of autoimmune diseases, as it can reduce the amount of circulating autoantibody in the patient’s bloodstream. Additionally, it is used to collect blood components to use in transfusions, such as platelets or stem cells in stem cell transplants. Apheresis is a safe and effective procedure, with minimal risks and side effects for most patients.