Plasmapheresis is a type of treatment used mainly in the case of diseases that increase the number of substances that can become harmful to the body, such as proteins, enzymes or antibodies, for example. Thus, plasmapheresis can be recommended in the case of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis, which is an autoimmune disease characterized by the progressive loss of muscle function due to the production of autoantibodies.
This procedure aims to remove the substances present in the plasma through the filtration process. Plasma corresponds to about 10% of the blood and consists of proteins, glucose, minerals, hormones and clotting factors, for example. Learn more about blood components and their functions.
How it is done
Plasma corresponds to the liquid part of the blood and is made up of proteins, such as albumin and antibody, in addition to glucose, minerals and clotting factors. Some diseases are accompanied by an increase in some of the constituents of plasma, which makes plasmapheresis an efficient type of treatment in these cases.
Plasmapheresis is a procedure that aims to filter the blood, removing the substances that are present in the plasma and returning the plasma to the body without the substances that are causing or continuing the disease. This treatment is done in a machine, similar to that of hemodialysis, in which the patient's blood is removed and the plasma separated. Plasma undergoes a filtration process, in which the substances that are present are removed and the substance-free plasma is returned to the body.
This procedure, however, filters out all the substances present in the plasma, both beneficial and harmful. Therefore, the same volume of beneficial substances that is removed is replaced by using a bag of fresh plasma provided by the hospital's blood bank, avoiding complications for the person.
Plasmapheresis is performed by means of a catheter that is placed in the jugular or femoral tract and each session lasts an average of 2 hours, which can be done daily or on alternate days, according to the doctor's guidance. Depending on the disease being treated, the doctor may recommend more or less sessions, with 7 sessions usually being indicated.
Although plasmapheresis is a very effective type of treatment, it is important that the person continues to do the drug treatment indicated by the doctor, as the performance of this procedure does not prevent the production of substances related to the disease. That is, in the case of autoimmune diseases, for example, plasmapheresis is responsible for the removal of autoantibodies, preventing further damage to the body, however the production of these antibodies is not paralyzed, and the person must use immunosuppressive drugs of according to the doctor's guidance.
Possible complications
Plasmapheresis is a safe procedure, but just like any other invasive procedure, it has risks, such as the occurrence of hematoma or infection at the site of venous access, and it is important that it is done by a trained professional and that respects the related hygiene conditions. patient safety. In addition, due to the removal of clotting factors present in the plasma, there may be greater risks of bleeding, which can be avoided by using the fresh plasma bag.
It is also possible the occurrence of transfusion reactions, such as the allergic reaction to proteins present in the plasma that was transfused.
What is it for
Plasmapheresis is a type of treatment that can be indicated by the doctor in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus and Myasthenia Gravis, because in these cases there is a large production of antibodies that act against the organism itself, resulting in the appearance and progression of disease.
In addition, this procedure can be indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, in which excess antibodies may be interfering with the coagulation process. Learn more about PTT.
