The regimen is accompanied by a plasmapheresis procedure. The benefits and harms of the plasmapheresis procedure

Plasmapheresis as a medical term consists of two parts - plasm, which means plasma, that is, the liquid part of the blood, and aphairesis (pheresis), which means removal or withdrawal. Therefore, the use of the terms plasmapheresis (we specifically put this word in the title of the article for better memorization) or plasmapheresis is incorrect.

Purification of blood plasma refers to the methods of detoxification of the body. The procedure is highly effective in many diseases. Plasmapheresis allows you to remove toxins, autoantibodies, “bad” cholesterol from the patient’s blood, improve the hemodynamic properties of the blood, as well as the blood supply to organs and tissues, etc.

Due to these effects, many patients began to perceive plasmapheresis as a "magic" method to lose weight, get rid of cosmetic imperfections or improve skin condition.

Important! However, plasmapheresis is a complex and rather dangerous medical procedure. Despite its high efficiency, it has an extensive list of contraindications for carrying out, therefore, it must be performed strictly for medical reasons.

Attention. It must be understood that plasmapheresis is not a cosmetic procedure, as many patients believe. It is not carried out in order to smooth wrinkles, improve complexion, narrow pores, get rid of excess weight and cellulite.

The plasmapheresis procedure is shown:

• patients after chemotherapy (especially after treatment of malignant neoplasms of the liver);
• patients treated for viral hepatitis;
• with severe lipid imbalances and atherosclerotic vascular lesions, accompanied by severe hemodynamic disorders, etc.

It is good to use blood plasma purification for fast (important point - fast) removal of aggressive antibodies. Cleansing shows positive results in autoimmune or neurological diseases if there is no effect from the use of glucocorticosteroids. In particular, there is data on diseases such as:

• multiple sclerosis;
• neuropathy;
• sepsis;
• plague;
• sarcoidosis;
• long-term squeezing syndrome.

Attention. A plasmapheresis session lasting from two to four hours is a serious burden for the patient's body, therefore, before it is carried out, the patient must be carefully examined by a therapist, hematologist, etc.

Plasmapheresis is performed by a transfusiologist. If there are contraindications, plasmapheresis is not performed.

Plasmapheresis - what is it

Plasmapheresis is a method of blood purification by selective removal of plasma from it. The procedure refers to extracorporeal sorption methods, that is, it is carried out outside the patient's body.

This method was developed in 1914 by independent groups of scientists (V. Yuryevich, N. Rosenberg, D. Abel). In Russia, therapeutic plasmapheresis was first performed by Professor R.A. Makeeva in 1964, in a patient with severe Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Since the seventies, the plasmapheresis procedure has been actively used in intensive care.

Purification of blood plasma is highly effective in severe intoxication, substance abuse, alcoholism, allergic diseases, many neurological and autoimmune pathologies.

Blood plasmapheresis is based on methods of selective utilization from plasma:

• toxins;
• antibodies, autoantibodies and antigens;
• excess monoclonal immunoglobulins;
• "bad" lipoproteins;
• infectious agents, as well as fragments of destroyed viruses or bacteria;
• dead cells of the immune system;
• circulating immune complexes;
• inflammatory mediators;
• excess fibrinogen;
• cellular and tissue degradation products.

The effectiveness of plasmapheresis also plays a role:

• the process of heparinization of blood and its mixing with other anticoagulants (blood clotting and the risk of thrombosis are reduced),
• compensation of deficient plasma factors (removed plasma is replaced by a special infusion medium (solutions of crystalloids, colloids, albumin or donor plasma)).
• cooling of the blood during the procedure and its dilution (the process of "hemodynamic shock");
• erythrocyte deplasmation procedure;
• compensatory release by the patient's body into the blood of adaptogens that respond to temporary blood loss (endorphins, adrenaline, steroids, etc.);
• "Massage" of the vascular walls due to mechanical pumping of blood.

Blood purification. Plasmapheresis and hemosorption

Sorption methods are based on the absorbing capacity of certain substances (sorbents). Due to this, hemosorption makes it possible to purify the blood of toxins by adsorbing them on the surfaces of the sorbent.

Like hemodialysis (filtration method of detoxification), hemosorption is included in the class of non-renal methods of blood purification. Their difference lies in the fact that hydrophobic substances are utilized from the blood during hemosorption, and hydrophilic substances are utilized during hemodialysis.

When carrying out hemosorption, various filters are used, such as:

• ion exchange resin,
• Activated carbon,
• biospecific sorbent, etc.

Despite the high efficiency of the procedure, as well as plasmapheresis, it has a number of contraindications and can cause adverse reactions to the procedure (arterial hypotension, increased bleeding, in rare cases, thromboembolism).

In this regard, hemosorption, plasmapheresis and other detoxification methods should be used strictly for medical reasons, taking into account the possible risks and expected benefits from their implementation.

The indications for the procedure are severe poisoning and intoxication associated with the accumulation of hydrophobic toxins in the blood (barbiturates, norxiron, elenium, organophosphorus compounds, etc.). Also, the method of hemosorption can be used in the complex therapy of patients with severe reactions of allergic origin.

Unlike plasmapheresis, hemosorption is highly effective after the first procedure (in some cases, course therapy is recommended) and can be used for emergency reasons.

Plasmapheresis - benefits and harms

• reduces the load on the liver (due to detoxification of the body), contributing to its recovery after serious illnesses;
• improves the rheological properties of blood and normalizes microcirculation;
• compensates for the deficiency of plasma factors;
• promotes the activation of complement components and normalizes immune responses;
• eliminates macrophage blockade, increases the activity of phagocytes and immunocompetent cells;
• has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect;
• reduces the content of "bad" lipoproteins in the blood, normalizes the lipid balance, reduces the manifestations of atherosclerosis;
• reduces and reduces the risk of blood clots;
• improves blood circulation in organs and tissues.

For reference."Cosmetic" effects, which are manifested by an improvement in the condition of the skin, are associated with the elimination of intoxication, the removal of excess antibodies, bacteria, viruses and their fragments from the blood, and the improvement of microcirculation in organs and tissues after plasmapheresis.

Plasmophoresis - indication for use

Among the indications for therapeutic plasmapheresis, there are absolute and relative. The absolute indications are the patient has:

• myasthenic crisis;
• thyrotoxic crisis that developed after strumectomy;
• HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome);
• Moshkovich's disease (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura);
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (acute ascending polyradiculoneuritis);
• crash syndrome (syndrome of prolonged squeezing);
• paraproteinemic hyperviscon syndrome;
• disseminated intravascular coagulation in the hypocoagulation phase against the background of ineffectiveness of other methods.

Relative indications for therapeutic plasmapheresis are the presence of the patient:

• severe immune disorders;
• autoimmune diseases;
• intoxication against the background of multiple organ failure;
• significant lipid imbalance and atherosclerosis, accompanied by a significant hemodynamic disturbance, with ineffectiveness or low efficiency of lipid-lowering therapy;
• severe intoxication with malignant neoplasms or severe liver diseases, as well as after radiation or chemotherapy, treatment of viral, as well as autoimmune hepatitis;
• severe alcohol or drug intoxication;
• reactions of allergic genesis with a severe course;
• some dermatological diseases, with their severe course and low efficiency from other methods of treatment (often recurrent herpetic infections, neuroderma, psoriasis, furunculosis, etc.);
• severe metabolic disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Plasmapheresis during pregnancy can be carried out in case of severe toxicosis or the presence of an Rhesus conflict. However, the final decision should be made only by the attending physician, taking into account the possible risks and expected benefits of the procedure.

Attention! Independent passage of plasmapheresis sessions in private clinics is unacceptable.

How much does plasmapheresis cost

The cost of discrete plasmapheresis starts from 4,000 rubles per procedure.

Membrane plasmapheresis (price for one procedure) - from 7000 rubles.

Plasmapheresis is an effective medical procedure that should only be used as prescribed by a doctor, after a thorough examination of the patient by specialized specialists.

Important! It must be understood that, despite all the assurances of private centers, plasmapheresis is not a panacea for all diseases, replacing complex treatment and medical supervision.

What does the plasmapheresis procedure do?

Also, NOT :

• removes wrinkles and age spots;
• helps to lose weight or get rid of cellulite;
• relieves cardiovascular diseases;
• treats diabetes mellitus or thyroid diseases (the procedure can be used for these diseases strictly according to indications, under the supervision of the attending physician, as an addition to basic therapy);
• is a replacement for lipid-lowering therapy and diet for atherosclerosis;
• treats arterial hypertension;
• treats lesions of the urogenital tract of chlamydial or mycoplasmal etiology;
• eliminates hormonal disorders against the background of menopause;
• replaces treatment for bronchial asthma;
• treats pancreatitis and cholecystitis
• relieves allergies.

For reference. It should be noted that plasmapheresis is effective in reducing the severity of symptoms in severe allergic reactions or diseases that have an allergic component of development (bronchial asthma). However, the procedure does not eliminate allergies and is unable to replace planned therapy.

Types of plasmapheresis

Depending on which plasma is transfused to the patient, plasmapheresis is divided into:

• donor, in which the patient returns his own cellular elements of the blood, and his plasma is used to make drugs;
• therapeutic, during which toxic substances, allergens, antigens, etc. are utilized from the patient's blood.

Attention. When performing donor plasmapheresis, a person is not transfused with someone else's plasma instead of his own! This is not a therapeutic procedure, namely plasma donation. Donor plasma replacement can be performed during therapeutic plasmapheresis.

Classification by plasma sampling method

The procedure may be:

• membrane (the most popular method);
• centrifuge;
• hardware;
• sedimentation (this method is the cheapest, however, at the moment it is practically not used).

For reference. The safest (and most expensive) is membrane plasmapheresis, performed by filtering blood through disposable filters.

The essence of plasmapheresis is to extract a portion of blood from the patient's circulatory system and filter it outside the body (extracorporeal detoxification). The filtering process itself depends on the method used.

Common to all variants of plasmapheresis will be the division of the received blood into cellular (shaped) elements (erythrocyte, platelet, etc. cells) and plasma. The uniform elements are returned to the patient.

Plasma, depending on the purpose and type of procedure, can be returned to the patient in a filtered form, after removing toxins from it, or replaced with a donor one (therapeutic plasmapheresis), or taken to prepare plasma preparations from it (donation).

Also, a cryopheresis procedure can be performed, after which the patient is transfused with his plasma, which has previously undergone a freezing procedure.

According to the mechanism of the procedure, it is divided into discrete (manual) and automatic. Discrete plasmapheresis is characterized by taking a large volume of blood from a patient. The plasma is then separated by sedimentation or centrifugation using preservatives. This method is less comfortable for the patient, more difficult to tolerate, takes more time and is accompanied by damage to some of the cellular elements of the blood.

For reference. During the automatic plasmapheresis procedure, the process of taking and filtering blood is carried out by a special separation apparatus, in small fractional portions.

Plasmapheresis - contraindications

• severe or pulmonary insufficiency;
• a heart attack less than six months ago;
• severe impairment of kidney function;
• pathologies of the liver, accompanied by a violation of its protein-synthesizing function, in the acute phase;
• blood clotting disorder;
• bleeding;
• severe iron deficiency anemia;
• abscesses or phlegmon;
• circulatory disorders in the brain;
• malignant neoplasms (the exception is cases when plasmapheresis is part of complex therapy and is performed according to indications, after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to alleviate the patient's condition);
• severe exhaustion.

For reference. Extremely carefully the procedure is prescribed for children and elderly patients.

Preparation for the procedure

The duration of one session of plasmapheresis is from two to four hours. The course of treatment can be from three to eight sessions.

This is a serious burden on the patient's body. Therefore, before plasmapheresis, it is necessary to undergo an examination for the presence of contraindications, and the procedure itself must be carried out strictly according to the prescription of the attending physician.

Planned preparation for plasmapheresis includes:

• refusal to take alcoholic beverages (a week before the procedure and throughout all sessions) and excessive physical exertion;
• smoking cessation one hour before the procedure and 1-1.5 hours after its completion;
• limiting the intake of coffee and strong tea (it is forbidden to take them before the procedure and immediately after);
• limiting the use of sweets, flour, fatty and fried foods;
• increasing the drinking regimen (if there are no contraindications, you should consume at least 2 liters of fluid per day).

The physician must be informed of all medications the patient is taking.

Side effects

The procedure can be complicated:

• decompensation of cardiovascular diseases;
• pulmonary edema;
• drop in blood pressure;
• anaphylactic shock;
• blood clotting disorders and bleeding;
• fatal (1 case per 5000 procedures).

For reference. In most cases, patients tolerate the procedure quite easily. Possible headaches and nausea pass quickly and without consequences. People with blood clotting problems need to bring this to the attention of the doctor when prescribing the procedure.

Blood cleansing with plasmapheresis can be used only in extreme cases, when there are no other ways to quickly remove a large amount of toxins and poisons from this physiological fluid. But the answer to the question of whether plasmapheresis can be done solely for cosmetic or preventive purposes will always be a refusal. Doctors do not recommend resorting to such a procedure, since essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins are removed from the bloodstream along with toxins. About whether it is dangerous to do plasmapheresis and how to properly use the procedure for therapeutic purposes, is described in the proposed article.

In the last 10-15 years, a procedure called plasmapheresis has become fashionable - a surgical blood purification, often prescribed without proper reason. By the beginning of the XX century. scientists already knew well that blood can be divided into "liquid" and "solid" parts and, if necessary, pour one or the other back into the patient.

The benefits and harms of blood purification with plasmapheresis

A session of blood purification by plasmapheresis is a purely mechanical removal (about 20%) of toxins that circulate in the blood, but not the activation of a person's own purification mechanisms. The benefits and harms of plasmapheresis are difficult to objectively assess, since as a monotherapy method it is not always effective, and if the treatment effect occurs, it is often very short-lived. Therefore, the treatment of the disease must be comprehensive. That is, plasmapheresis should be combined with therapeutic measures aimed at reducing the intake of toxin or the formation of toxin in the body itself. This includes the whole range of procedures - from therapeutic fasting and special nutrition to regular cleansing procedures and additional medicinal and natural therapies.

The phrase “toxin removal” has a magical effect on many people: they are willing to pay for “cleansing the body”, “detoxification”, etc. Cleansing is relatively inexpensive - from 4 to 5 thousand rubles per procedure (usually three procedures are performed). However, a generally safe operation can be detrimental.

For a session of therapeutic plasmapheresis, it is recommended to remove a quarter of the volume of circulating plasma - this is a considerable stress for the body and unforeseen situations often arise. The harm of plasmapheresis lies in the fact that allergic reactions to blood substitutes may occur, as well as the formation of blood clots (since with a decrease in the volume of blood in the body as a result of pumping out, its viscosity may increase).

According to transfusiologists, complications can arise if the necessary tests were not made before the operation, or the patient did not tell the doctors what diseases he was suffering from (among the contraindications, many call, for example, thrombophlebitis).

Indications for the use of blood plasmapheresis and contraindications

Indications for blood plasmapheresis are various diseases, which are based on the slagging of the body as a whole or the presence of large amounts of allergens and toxins in the blood. The most common indications for blood plasmapheresis are furunculosis, dermatosis, eczema, psoriasis and allergic urticaria. When studying the indications for plasmapheresis, one should not forget about contraindications, which make up an impressive list.

The disadvantage is that plasma is also removed along with blood toxins. With plasma, substances necessary for the body are also removed. For example, immunoglobulins, otherwise antibodies, blood coagulation factors, such as fibrinogen, prothrombin, etc. Therefore, the use of plasmapheresis is contraindicated in diseases in which there is severe hypoproteinemia (low protein in the blood plasma), with the threat of bleeding, due to the low content in plasma blood clotting factors. For example, in acute liver failure as a result of massive liver damage. Immunity may be reduced for a short time. After plasmapheresis, complaints of dizziness, nausea, numbness in the limbs and weakness may occur. Usually these symptoms go away, but it happens that the patient needs additional restorative therapy.

Possible consequences of plasmapheresis

Of the rare risks of developing the consequences of plasmapheresis, doctors name several points - from Lyell's syndrome to anaphylaxis. Reinfusion (the return of plasma into the body) can cause anaphylaxis, a dangerous allergic reaction. Manifested by a drop in pressure, respiratory failure and can lead to death. Anaphylaxis rarely develops, more mild allergic reactions are more common - a rash and a rise in temperature.

The introduction of bacteria into the bloodstream also poses a possible certain danger, especially when a catheter is used for plasmapheresis in a large (central) vein. Some patients develop a reaction to the anticoagulant - muscle cramps and numbness, fortunately, these symptoms pass. Plasmapheresis removes proteins that promote blood clotting, and in rare cases this can lead to abnormal bleeding.

Lyell's syndrome- toxic-allergic damage to the skin and mucous membranes, often accompanied by changes in the internal organs and nervous system. Lyell's syndrome occurs as a result of taking certain medications (sulfonamides, antibiotics, barbiturates), leading to necrosis of all layers of the skin. Therefore, it is important to remember that self-medication with chemicals is dangerous to health. Plasmapheresis is also a serious surgical procedure that must be carried out for strict medical reasons, in the general complex of treatment prescribed by a doctor, but not as a cosmetic or general health procedure, as it is often presented in commercial clinics.

The plasmapheresis procedure gives only a temporary effect, since the main reason - the toxicity of the body - is not eliminated. As well as the use of hormonal or other drugs, the plasmapheresis procedure does not lead to their cancellation.

Plasmapheresis is a mechanical blood filtration procedure aimed at isolating individual components from it, for example, plasma (the liquid part of the blood), red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and others.

Subsequently (depending on the purpose for which the procedure was performed), the purified part of the blood components can either be returned to the patient or collected for temporary storage (for example, donated blood is processed in this way for further use).

Plasmapheresis should be distinguished from hemodialysis. With plasmapheresis, natural blood fractions are isolated, and with hemodialysis, the actual substances dissolved in the blood.

Indications for plasmapheresis

Initially, plasmapheresis was used for industrial procurement purposes of blood transfusion stations. Subsequently, its use with a therapeutic purpose was proposed.

The idea is that in a number of pathological conditions of the body, substances and elements directly causing the development of the pathological process enter the blood plasma.

Since plasmapheresis allows sorting of blood, it has been used to remove these substances from the body by collecting and removing the plasma element.

The main indications for the procedure are as follows:

• The need to quickly remove plasma containing toxic and metabolic components from the bloodstream. Such a need arises during treatment-resistant exacerbations of a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, hypertension.
• The need for a long time to maintain a strictly defined composition of the blood, for example, in case of intoxication with toxic substances, bacterial toxins in septic processes, chemotherapy of oncological diseases, viral hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, with Rhesus conflict and many other conditions. The therapeutic effect is that one of the links is excluded from the pathogenesis of the disease, which makes it possible to carry out drug therapy with greater efficiency.
• Also, in particular cases, plasmapheresis can be used to create a time interval used for surgical intervention, which is impossible in the conditions of the previous blood composition.

Contraindications

Since plasmapheresis involves taking a certain amount of blood from the bloodstream, contraindications to it are as follows:

• Anemia (hemoglobin less than 80 g/l). With anemia in the blood, an insufficient amount of transport elements, respectively, the removal of a portion of blood will lead to aggravation of oxygen starvation of tissues.
• Decrease in the concentration of total protein in the blood (less than 60 g / l). The concentration of proteins in the blood affects the degree of permeability of the vascular wall and the amount of the liquid part of the blood in the vessels (the more protein in the blood, the less plasma in it). Carrying out plasmapheresis at low levels of total protein will lead to multiple disturbances in water and electrolyte balance, an increase in blood pressure.
• Any disease associated with circulatory failure. Most often these are diseases of the cardiovascular system, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcer, post-infarction period.
• Bleeding.

Methodology

Plasmapheresis is carried out by centrifuging blood inside a special apparatus - a plasma filter.

The procedure is as follows: the patient is positioned in a chair, after which a plastic catheter (venflon) is inserted into one of the veins on the arm, which is connected by a system of tubes to a plasma filter.

Inside the plasma filter (depending on its design) there may be disposable filters, pumps, membranes and centrifuges. After that, a program is launched on the device, according to which blood is automatically taken from the vascular bed into the device, where the blood will be divided into fractions.

Depending on the purpose of the procedure, plasmapheresis can last from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

After the end of the program, the processed blood returns to the vascular bed.

Benefits of Plasmapheresis

It is important to understand that plasmapheresis is an auxiliary method of therapy and is ineffective in the treatment of diseases by itself. In the case of a combination of plasmapheresis with other methods of therapy, tangible results can be achieved, namely:

• Detoxification. The programs of modern plasma filters make it possible to differentiate blood fractions so that toxins remain only in one of the fractions - most often in plasma. This function is called "washing blood cells." After the procedure, the "washed" cells are returned to the blood, while the toxins remain in the extracted plasma.
• Reflex stimulation of the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems of the body. As a result of the extraction of part of the blood plasma, the body is artificially immersed in a controlled water-electrolyte imbalance. If such a condition is undesirable, then plasma-substituting solutions are injected into the blood instead of the extracted plasma.
• Immunomodulation. When blood passes through plasma filters, blood cells come into contact with their structure. The structure of the filter is foreign to the body and irritates immune cells, which subsequently causes a state of "stressed immunity". It should be understood that such a result can be extremely contradictory, since there are immune complexes that can have a destructive effect on the cells of their own body. Such complexes often circulate in the blood of patients with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively, additional stimulation of the immune system can lead to an exacerbation of autoimmune processes.

The detoxification method is successfully used in narcology and toxicology. In drug addicts and alcoholics, liver function is severely affected and the body is in a state of intoxication. This is an indication for plasmapheresis. Patients with myocardial infarction also benefit from blood purification. During the sessions, the increased concentration of fibrinogen decreases and microcirculation in the heart muscles normalizes. Clinical improvement after plasmapheresis is noticed by people suffering from angina pectoris.

In liver diseases such as cirrhosis, active hepatitis and liver failure, plasma treatment improves the general condition of the patient, reduces jaundice and signs of encephalopathy. Decreased levels of cholesterol, bilirubin, ESR and fibrinogen. In pulmonology, it is prescribed for fibrosing alveoli, bronchial asthma and hemosiderosis of the lungs. After the procedure, wheezing and shortness of breath decrease, the function of external respiration improves.

Indications for plasmapheresis are diseases in gastroenterology, dermatology,. The technique has shown its effectiveness in diabetes mellitus, rheumatic diseases and kidney ailments.

Contraindications for plasmapheresis

Sessions may be refused during menstruation, acute infectious processes, unstable hemodynamics and hypopotheinemia in patients.

Plasmapheresis is shrouded in myths and untruths that private medical centers have come up with to attract clients. Among them are a rejuvenating effect, complete cleansing of toxins, normalization of hormonal levels, metabolism and immunity, prevention of all diseases, etc. Plasmapheresis also has complications after procedures. Pulmonary edema, allergic reactions, hypotension, phlebitis and bleeding may occur.

Related article

Sources:

• Indications for plasmapheresis
• Plasmapheresis - cleansing

Plasmapheresis is a method of removing unwanted elements from human blood plasma. This technique is divided into a treatment procedure and a donor procedure.

Taking into account the method of obtaining plasma, it is divided into membrane, centrifuge, apparatus and sedimentation. During this procedure, some blood is taken from a person, and then it is separated into plasma and other elements. All blood cells are returned to the patient, and the plasma may be discarded depending on the type of method.

Therapeutic plasmapheresis

A certain volume of blood is taken from which plasma is withdrawn. This method is used in the treatment of neurological diseases or autoimmune, if necessary, to remove antibodies quickly.

The process of therapeutic plasmapheresis can be carried out using special equipment that excludes the possibility of infecting the patient with dangerous diseases or viruses.

Membrane plasmapheresis

With this procedure, pathological substances (toxic, ballast) are removed from the blood by means of plasma removal and blood filtration.

This plasmapheresis is increasingly used in clinical practice today.

Cascade plasmapheresis

This procedure involves the secondary filtration of blood using a special microporous filter, it can only pass albumins.

Used in the treatment of atherosclerosis with severe diseases of the vessels of the heart, brain, aorta. In addition, cascade plasmapheresis is very effective in autoimmune diseases.

Many modern clinics in the last decade began to offer one expensive procedure - plasmapheresis. What is it and for what diseases is it indicated? Is this technique dangerous and how is it carried out? Here are the main questions that arise in patients when they are recommended an innovative way to cleanse the blood of "slags".

What is plasmapheresis?

This is a modern method of cleansing the body at the cellular level by filtering the blood using special devices. It is intended for the treatment of many diseases and is the only salvation for some very The term "plasmapheresis" consists of two words - "plasma" and "apheresis", which can be literally translated from Latin as "plasma removal".

The procedure is carried out in public medical institutions, private clinics and even sometimes at home. Blood plasmapheresis earned recognition at the end of the last century, but has already managed to save the health of hundreds of thousands of people.

The history of the origin of the method

This method has its roots in the use of bloodletting as a treatment for any disease. For a long time, this “barbaric” method of therapy was forgotten by doctors, but by the middle of the 20th century, specialists began to attempt to create an apparatus for dividing blood into phases and removing its liquid part to obtain a therapeutic effect.

Already in the 70-80s, plasmapheresis began to be actively used in the USA and gained popularity in the USSR. But the evidence for the effectiveness of the method has not yet been sufficiently high, because clinical studies require many years of work. However, scientists did not back down and continued to study plasmapheresis. What did it bring to humanity? The perseverance of scientists gave medicine a perfect and effective way. At the moment, the removal of "contaminated" plasma is considered a very effective method for many pathological conditions that are accompanied by various intoxications of the body.

What types and methods of plasmapheresis exist

There are three main classifications of plasmapheresis.

It is known that plasma makes up 55% of the BCC. And to determine the last indicator, you need to multiply the body weight by 75. For example, a person weighing 80 kg in one session needs to remove the following amount of plasma:

80 x 75 x 0.55 x 0.25 = 825 ml.

It is very important to observe all proportions when performing plasmapheresis. The benefits and harms of the treatment technique depend on many factors, including the accuracy of the calculations.

Can plasmapheresis harm?

Recently, this expensive procedure has been positioned as a panacea for all diseases. Private clinics are particularly active in promoting plasmapheresis. The benefits and harms of this method directly depend on the professionalism of doctors. But just like any other method of treatment, it has its side effects and disadvantages:

• Anaphylactic shock.
• Allergies to donated plasma and replacement fluids.
• Autoimmune kidney damage as a reaction to donor plasma.
• Infection from donor plasma.
• The development of sepsis in case of non-compliance with the rules of asepsis.
• Bleeding (if there are problems with clotting).
• Thrombosis (with insufficient use of anticoagulants).
• Drop in blood pressure.
• Removal of not only toxins, but also beneficial substances along with plasma.
• Short-term decrease in immunity.
• Violation of metabolism and the amount of drugs taken in the blood.
• Nausea.
• Headache.

This is a very serious and complex procedure, so you need to be careful in choosing a place for treatment. Many private clinics offer plasmapheresis to patients. What are these institutions, what specialists work there, are there any permits for this procedure? All this must be known before agreeing to therapy in order not to fall into the hands of uneducated scammers. After all, this can lead to a disastrous outcome.

What results should be expected

The effectiveness of plasmapheresis has been proven in the case of many diseases. The positive effect of the procedure is regularly recorded even with relative indications. However, it should be understood that monotherapy can not always help. Therefore, it is so important to undergo complex treatment from qualified specialists, not counting on healing from a single course of plasma removal.

To achieve good results, it is necessary to be confident in the quality of the care provided and undergo a preliminary examination to confirm the absence of contraindications to the use of such a treatment technique as plasmapheresis.

The price of this procedure is quite high (4500-5500 thousand rubles), and the patient will need not one or two, but 3-4 sessions, otherwise there will be no point in treatment. This should be taken into account. However, many clinics offer discounts if the duration of the course exceeds 5 sessions. It should be noted that this procedure cannot be cheap, because the equipment and materials are now quite expensive. Therefore, you should not trust clinics in which the procedure is performed at a very low price.

Summing up

Yes, such therapy hurts the patient's pocket, but it's worth it. Improvement of the general condition, the inclusion of all protective and compensatory functions, the normalization of blood rheological parameters, the removal of symptoms of intoxication - this is not the whole list of the positive effects of the procedure we are considering on the body.

Plasmapheresis is an innovative technique that helps many patients cope with their ailments and cleanse the blood of “contaminated” plasma. This procedure is indicated for a huge number of diseases and has very few contraindications. The implementation of plasmapheresis with the help of qualified specialists and in compliance with all instructions gives positive results in the treatment of even the rarest diseases.