Pheresis

Pheresis is a medical procedure that involves the removal, treatment, and return or exchange of blood plasma or components thereof from the circulation. The process can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions and is especially important in the field of hematology.

Types of Pheresis

There are several types of pheresis, including:

• Plasmapheresis: This involves the removal of plasma from the blood, with the remaining components returned to the patient. It is often used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

• Leukapheresis: This procedure removes white blood cells from the blood. It is often used in the treatment of diseases that cause an overproduction of white blood cells, such as leukemia.

• Plateletpheresis: This procedure involves the removal of platelets from the blood. It is often used in the treatment of diseases that cause an overproduction of platelets, such as thrombocytosis.

• Erythrocytapheresis: This procedure involves the removal of red blood cells from the blood. It is often used in the treatment of diseases that cause an overproduction of red blood cells, such as polycythemia.

Procedure

The pheresis procedure involves the use of a machine to separate the blood into its various components. The specific component that is being targeted is then removed or treated, and the remaining blood is returned to the patient. The procedure can take several hours to complete.

Uses

Pheresis is used in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, including autoimmune disorders, blood cancers, and certain genetic disorders. It can also be used to collect blood components for donation.

Risks and Complications

As with any medical procedure, pheresis carries some risks. These can include reactions to the anticoagulant used in the procedure, low blood pressure, and infection. In rare cases, serious complications such as blood clots or severe allergic reactions can occur.

See Also

• Blood donation
• Blood transfusion
• Apheresis

Pheresis Resources
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