Therapeutic Apheresis is a medical technology in which the blood of a person is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular blood constituent and returns the blood remainder to the circulation. It selectively removes cells or other targeted abnormal substances from the blood circulation; it is used for the treatment of conditions in which a pathogenic substance or component in the blood is causing morbidity. One of the uses of apheresis is for collecting stem cells.
Blood taken from a healthy donor can be separated into its component parts during blood donation, where the needed component is collected and the “unused” components are returned to the donor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we perform Therapeutic Apheresis?<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therapeutic Apheresis is performed using a machine called a Blood Cell Separator which can separate blood into its various parts. The machine separates and removes the portion of your blood depending on the type of Apheresis you will be undergoing and gives you
back replacement red cells, plasma or other fluids as the case may be. The remaining part of your blood, including red cells, white cells and\/or plasma, will be returned to you unaltered during the treatment. A specified component is retained and the remainder is
returned to the individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All apheresis procedures have the same basic principles in common \u2013 blood is withdrawn from a patient through a needle or catheter and mixed with an anticoagulant (citrate) to prevent clotting.  The blood is then separated in a centrifuge and the target blood components (based on the procedure being performed) are collected and discarded.  The remaining blood is then returned to the patient along with replacement fluids \/ solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Replacement fluids are given as ordered by the consultant and may include normal saline 0.9%, albumin, red blood cells, and plasma.  All materials coming in contact with the patient\u2019s blood are sterile, used only once and discarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parapheresis consists of the following procedures:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• Plasmapheresis<\/strong> \/ Plasma exchange: the removal of plasma (the liquid portion of the blood) from a patient and replacement with a solution mixed into the cellular portion of the blood.  The replacement may be donor plasma, 5% albumin, and \/ or normal saline.<\/li>
• Erythrocytapheresis<\/strong> \/ red cell exchange: the removal of a predetermined volume of red blood cells and transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells with reinfusion of the patient\u2019s other blood cells components<\/li>
• Erythrocytapheresis<\/strong> \/ red cells depletion: the removal of a predetermined volume of red blood cells<\/li>
• Erythrocytapheresis \/ Red cell depletion exchange<\/strong>: red cell depletion immediately followed by red cell exchange<\/li>
• Leukapheresis<\/strong>: the removal of white blood cells<\/li>
• Plateletpheresis<\/strong>: the removal of platelets<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Side effects of Therapeutic Apheresis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The side effects of parapheresis include, but are not\nlimited to the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Weakness or feeling faint as a result\nof anxiety or changes in blood pressure or blood volume<\/li>
  • Nausea and vomiting<\/li>
  • Loss of red blood cells which may\noccur if the procedure must be discontinued for any reason (e.g. raised body\ntemperature of more than 1 degree celsius above baseline)<\/li>
  • Itching and hives and \/or tingling of\nthe lips and\/or fingers due to a reaction to the anticoagulant<\/li>
  • Haemolysis: there is a remote\npossibility of disrupting the red blood cells due to a malfunction of the\nmachine; however, this is extremely rare and is carefully monitored.  In the event of haemolysis, the procedure is\ndiscontinued.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Please inform the caregiver if any of these occur, as there are adjustments and treatment that can be made to lessen these side effects<\/strong>;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although very rare, air infusion, bacterial\ncontamination, and\/or blood transfusion reactions could occur. The consequences\nof these unlikely events could be severe and result in death.  Complications associated with transfusions of\nblood components may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Fatal haemolytic transfusion reactions caused by administration of incompatible blood<\/li>
    • Transmission of infectious diseases or agents such as hepatitis, HIV, bacteria or those causing malaria and other rare diseases<\/li>
    • Alloimmunization: the production of antibodies against donor red blood cells, white blood cells or platelet antigens<\/li>
    • Allergic reactions, febrile reactions, lung injury and circulatory overload may also occur.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n