Important Information Concerning Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

By Ann Scott


Plasma is a colorless liquid that is the main component of the blood. It has many functions in the body including transporting of substances as well as aiding in blood clotting in case of injuries. It is also prone to the infection by harmful organisms and antigens that may result in decreased effectiveness of the functioning of disease-fighting antibodies. This approach aims at elimination the unhealthy substances through the removal of the fluid itself. The other components of the blood namely the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets remain unaltered. Should such a life-threatening condition occur, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange should be carried out.

Mostly, this procedure is undertaken as a remedy for neurological conditions and illnesses that lead to harmful antibody creation in the body. The reason is that these compounds will be suspended in this fluid. It is a method that deals with other diseases like acute pancreatitis, myasthenia gravis, and Lambert-Eaton and so on. This procedure is not concerned with offering the actual or definite cure for the conditions but is lowers their progress rate and resistance ability.

The main procedure is done within a unique machine designed for this particular purpose. It works on the principle of separating the various blood components so as to effectively drain out the colorless fluid while causing no interference to the other parts. These procedures usually take a maximum of four hours to complete and should be done several times in order to ensure the complete removal of the fluid.

The patient is normally injected in the veins located on both arms. The type of needle used is an IV needle that is connected to the machine through a tube that allows the blood access to and from the machine. Blood clots may occur and prevent smooth passage of the rest of your blood through the tube. To avoid this, anticoagulants are added into the blood after it is drawn.

On reaching the special machine, different components of the blood are detached from each other. Once separated, the machine is designed to remove the colorless fluid and replace it with a relevant substitute. It is preferable that the replaced fluid be plasma that is given from a human donor. However, if this is not possible other substitutes such saline and albumin are used.

However, this procedure is also risky in its own way. The first risk is that if the replacement comes from a donor whose antibodies are not compatible with yours, this may cause reactions that may result in conditions like anaphylaxis. On the other hand, in the case where saline or albumin is used, the body may become prone to health risks more as they do not contain enough proteins as compared to this fluid.

This procedure should only be carried out if the condition can be effectively treated by it. There are evidence-based guidelines provided by the American Society for Apheresis which are regularly updated and should be followed before the operation is done.

Nevertheless, this procedure is of importance and the risks should not be used as a hindrance to not getting assistance. According to proofs and studies, this procedure works very well. Side effects can be reduced by medication.




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