Apheresis therapy is a medical process in which blood is removed from a person's body, certain components are separated and then the rest of the blood is returned to the body. This process can be used to treat a variety of conditions and can be considered advanced due to the modern technologies and procedures used during treatment.
What is apheresis?
Apheresis is a medical process used to remove certain components from a person's blood, and the rest of the blood is returned to the body. This process involves the use of a special machine called an apheresis or centrifuge, which separates the blood into different components during the procedure.
Apheresis can be used in a variety of medical situations, including the treatment of autoimmune diseases, coagulation disorders, hyperlipidemia, substance intoxication and other medical conditions.
How does apheresis work in blood therapy?
Apheresis in blood therapy uses a special machine to separate the blood into different components and to selectively remove certain substances or cells. The procedure begins by taking blood from the patient, which is then pumped into the blood vessel and centrifuged for separation. The desired components, such as abnormal blood cells or certain proteins, are removed, and the rest of the blood is returned to the patient's circulation. This therapy can be used to treat various diseases, such as autoimmune diseases or coagulation disorders, contributing to the improvement of symptoms and the improvement of the patient's health.
Types of Apheresis
Apheresis is a specialized medical procedure that involves taking blood, separating certain components and returning the rest of the blood to the body. There are several types of apheresis, each designed to treat certain conditions or to fulfill certain therapeutic goals. Here are some of the common types of apheresis:
Hemoperfusion
Hemoperfusion is a special type of apheresis that involves passing the patient's blood through a column of absorbent or absorbent material. This material can be designed to retain specific substances in the patient's blood, such as toxins or drugs, while allowing the rest of the blood to pass through unaffected. The main use of hemoperfusion is in the treatment of acute or chronic intoxication with toxic substances, such as drugs, alcohol, heavy metals or other chemical substances. The procedure is usually performed in specialized medical facilities and can be part of a larger treatment plan for patients who have been exposed to dangerous toxins.
PE plasma exchange (Plasma Exchange)
Plasma exchange, or plasma exchange (PE), is a procedure in which blood plasma is removed from the body and replaced with donated plasma or a saline solution. This method is mainly used to remove harmful substances from the patient's plasma, such as autoimmune antibodies or toxins, and to correct chemical imbalances in the blood.
Double Filtration Plasmapheresis DFPP (Double Filtration Plasmapheresis)
Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) is a form of apheresis in which blood plasma is separated and passed through a double filtration system to remove specific substances. This technique allows a more efficient plasma purification and is used especially in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and blood diseases.
PA plasma adsorption (Plasma Adsorption)
Plasma adsorption (PA) is an apheresis method in which the blood plasma is passed through a column or filter that adsorbs or retains specific substances from the plasma, such as toxins or large molecules. This technique can be used to treat severe poisoning or to remove harmful substances from the patient's blood.
Cryofiltration (Cryofiltration)
Cryofiltration is a form of apheresis in which the patient's blood is cooled and then passed through a special filter that removes potentially harmful or abnormal substances, such as abnormal proteins or blood cells. This technique can be used in the treatment of diseases such as multiple myeloma or other hematological diseases.
Low Density Lipoprotein Apheresis
Low-density lipoprotein apheresis is a specialized procedure used to remove LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) from the patient's blood. This technique is used especially in the treatment of severe hyperlipidemia or rare metabolic diseases that involve high levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
Endotoxin Absorption Therapy
Endotoxin absorption therapy is a form of apheresis used to remove endotoxins from the patient's blood. Endotoxins are toxic substances produced by gram-negative bacteria and can cause inflammatory reactions and septicemia. By removing these toxins from the blood, endotoxin absorption therapy can help control severe infections and prevent associated complications.
What are the benefits of apheresis?
Apheresis can bring numerous benefits in the treatment of various ailments. These include:
Removal of harmful substances: Apheresis can remove toxins, abnormal antibodies, lipids or other harmful substances from the blood, helping to improve symptoms and reduce associated complications.
Control of autoimmune diseases: By removing antibodies or other components of the immune system responsible for attacking your own tissues or organs, apheresis can help control autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or myasthenia gravis.
Correcting chemical imbalances: Apheresis procedures can help correct chemical imbalances in the blood, such as high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or eliminate substances that interfere with normal body functions.
Correction of coagulation disorders: For patients with coagulation disorders or hematological diseases, apheresis can help improve the function of the blood coagulation system by eliminating substances that can interfere with this process.
Correction of neurological disorders: In the case of neurological disorders, apheresis can be beneficial by removing antibodies or other substances that can affect the nervous system, contributing to reducing symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life.
Types of conditions treated with apheresis
Apheresis is a medical process in which blood is taken from the patient, passed through a special device that removes or modifies certain compounds or cells, and the "cleaned" blood is returned to the body. This process can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Here are some types of conditions that can be treated with apheresis:
Neurological disorders
Apheresis is used in the treatment of a number of neurological conditions, including:
Myasthenia gravis: In this autoimmune disease, abnormal antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors on skeletal muscles, causing muscle weakness. Apheresis can help remove these antibodies and improve symptoms.
Guillain-Barré syndrome: This autoimmune condition affects the peripheral nervous system and can cause progressive paralysis. Apheresis can be used to remove antibodies and other substances that aggravate nerve inflammation.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM): ADEM is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Apheresis can be used to reduce inflammation and improve recovery in this condition.
Inflammatory myopathies: In these conditions, the immune system attacks the muscles, causing muscle weakness and inflammation. Apheresis can contribute to the improvement of symptoms by removing antibodies and other substances involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune condition that affects the nervous system and causes muscle weakness. This is due to the fact that the immune system attacks the acetylcholine receptors on the surface of the muscles, which prevents the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles. Symptoms may include muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a rare disorder that involves muscle weakness and movement difficulties. It is caused by an overactive immune system that attacks the calcium channels in the muscles, which interferes with the ability to release neurotransmitters and cause normal muscle contractions.
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. This can lead to progressive muscle weakness, loss of sensation and, in some cases, paralysis. It is often triggered by a recent viral or bacterial infection.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare disease of the peripheral nervous system in which inflammation destroys myelin, the protective layer that covers the nerves. This can lead to muscle weakness, difficulty walking and coordination and other neurological symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks myelin, the protective layer of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, vision problems, muscle weakness, balance and coordination problems, and other neurological problems.
Dermatological Disorders
Dermatological disorders include a wide variety of conditions that affect the skin, hair and nails. These can include eczema, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, skin infections and many others. Symptoms and treatments may vary depending on the specific condition.
Pemphigus and Pemphigoid
These are two autoimmune dermatological conditions characterized by the formation of blisters and ulcers on the skin and mucous membranes. In the treatment of these conditions, apheresis can be used to remove abnormal antibodies and other inflammatory substances from the blood, contributing to the reduction of symptoms and the improvement of the skin condition.
Steven-Johnson syndrome
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and serious dermatological condition that can be triggered by adverse reactions to drugs or infections. Its characteristics include severe rashes, blisters and peeling of the skin. In certain situations, apheresis can be used to remove toxic or abnormal substances from the blood and to reduce the inflammation associated with this condition.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare and severe dermatological condition, which is often triggered by adverse drug reactions. It is characterized by extensive peeling of the skin and severe damage to the mucous membrane. In some cases, apheresis may be used as part of treatment to remove harmful substances from the blood and help manage the symptoms associated with this condition.
Renal Diseases
Kidney diseases are diseases that affect the kidneys, the organs responsible for filtering the blood and eliminating waste and excess fluids from the body. There is a wide range of kidney diseases, each with specific causes and symptoms. Here are some of the most common:
Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney condition characterized by excessive leakage of proteins in the urine, which leads to low levels of proteins in the blood and swelling (edema) in the body. Causes may include autoimmune conditions, hereditary kidney disease, infections, and others.
Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a severe form of inflammation of the glomeruli, which are the kidney structures responsible for blood filtration. This inflammation can cause leakage of proteins and blood in the urine, high blood pressure and rapidly progressive renal failure.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Collagen Diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis and collagen diseases are diseases that affect the immune system and can cause inflammation and damage in various parts of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, swelling and stiffness. It can affect any joint, but it usually starts with the small joints of the hands and feet. Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to joint damage and deformities.
Collagen diseases are a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation and damage to the connective tissue, which is an important part of the skin, joints and other structures of the body. Examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and dermatomyositis. These diseases can affect various organs and systems of the body, causing various symptoms, such as skin rashes, fever, fatigue and joint pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness and progressive joint damage. It can also affect the internal organs and the cardiovascular system.
Malignant Rheumatoid Arthritis
Malignant rheumatoid arthritis is a rare but severe form of rheumatoid arthritis in which the inflammation and destruction of the joints progresses rapidly and aggressively. It can have devastating consequences on the health of the joints and may require urgent medical interventions.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems in the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart and brain. Symptoms can vary from fatigue and skin rashes to joint pain and inflammation of the internal organs.
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the abnormal presence of antibodies against phospholipids, which can cause blood clotting disorders, thrombosis, pregnancy complications and other medical problems.
ANCA Associated Vasculitis
Vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) is a form of vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. In this form of vasculitis, the immune system produces antibodies against proteins inside neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), which leads to inflammation and damage to the blood vessel walls. It can affect different organs and tissues, including the lungs, kidneys and nervous system.
Pregnancies with Blood Group Incompatibility
Blood group incompatibility pregnancies occur when a pregnant woman has a blood group that is incompatible with the blood group of her partner or the fetus. This incompatibility can lead to immune reactions that endanger the fetus. One of the most known and serious forms is Rh incompatibility, in which an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus.
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow. These abnormal plasma cells multiply uncontrollably and can accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with the normal production of blood cells. Multiple myeloma can cause a variety of symptoms, including anemia, weakness, bone pain, fractures, and kidney complications.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes dilated and weakened, which affects its ability to efficiently pump blood to the rest of the body. This weakness can lead to heart failure and other complications. Causes may include genetic factors, viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and other conditions.
Contraindications and precautions in apheresis therapy
Severe coagulopathy: Patients with severe coagulation disorders or taking anticoagulant medications may be at increased risk of bleeding complications during apheresis procedures.
Severe hypotension: Patients with severe hypotension may be contraindicated for certain types of apheresis, as the procedures may worsen hypotension or lead to syncope.
Severe heart failure: In the case of patients with severe heart failure, apheresis procedures may involve additional risks for the heart function and for the patient's general condition.
Active infections: Active infections may be a temporary contraindication to apheresis therapy because the procedures may worsen the infection or impair the immune system's ability to fight it.
Severe allergic reactions to the materials used in the procedure: Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to components of the equipment used in apheresis therapy may be contraindicated.
