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Advances in medicine have made it possible to manage certain conditions whose treatment posed a great challenge. Plasma exchange therapy, also known as plasmapheresis, is one of these advances. It involves getting rid of defective blood and replacing it with a functional one. In this procedure, entry to the system is accessed through a peripheral vein. A cannula connected to a catheter is inserted in to the vein. Once blood is drawn out, a special machine is used to separate the liquid part(plasma) from the cells. The cells are then mixed with new plasma and returned to the body.
One does not need to spend days in hospital for this procedure to be performed. In fact, no anesthesia is administered due to the simplicity of the process. However, some pain may be experienced in given situations particularly when access to veins is difficult either when they are too small or when they have collapsed because of dehydration. This is why the patient is advised to consume fluids in plenty. Central venous line insertion is the second option when peripheral venous access proves futile.
Conditions in which toxic proteins exist in the plasma benefit most from this therapy. The relapsing form of multiple sclerosis is an example. However, treatment with plasmapheresis is only used when other forms of therapy have failed. It also helps control an acute attack. Other conditions that benefit include myasthenia gravis, thrombocytopenic purpura, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome among others.
Like any other procedure, certain risks are associated with plasmapheresis. Some patients may reject the new plasma due to allergic reactions. The patient is often given certain drugs before performing the procedure to prevent an allergic reaction, if they are known to have history of the same. The blood can get infected if sterile conditions are not observed.
Blood is unlikely to clot when it is in an optimal surrounding, inside the human body. However, once it is exposed to the external environment, the likelihood of clotting increases. This is why sodium citrate is given during the procedure. The patient is exposed to an additional problem; hypocalcemia (or low calcium levels). This happens because the sodium citrate has to extract calcium for clotting to be prevented.
Functionality of key systems in the body may be put at risk if hypocalcemia is not reversed in a timely manner. It can present with numbness, tingling and convulsions. Worse cases may present with respiratory distress (due to spasms in the respiratory tract) and difficulty in swallowing (due to uncontrolled muscle contractions). Management is by infusion of fluids containing calcium.
Each session takes about two to four hours. In a week, two or three treatments may be needed. A full course takes a minimum of two weeks. Thereafter, the individual shows improvement lasting a few weeks to months. If condition relapses, they may have to undergo further courses of therapy.
Evidently, plasmapheresis should not be regarded as a lasting solution, rather a complementary form of management The more the sessions, the higher the cost. Other treatments need to be considered before resorting to plasma exchange.
One does not need to spend days in hospital for this procedure to be performed. In fact, no anesthesia is administered due to the simplicity of the process. However, some pain may be experienced in given situations particularly when access to veins is difficult either when they are too small or when they have collapsed because of dehydration. This is why the patient is advised to consume fluids in plenty. Central venous line insertion is the second option when peripheral venous access proves futile.
Conditions in which toxic proteins exist in the plasma benefit most from this therapy. The relapsing form of multiple sclerosis is an example. However, treatment with plasmapheresis is only used when other forms of therapy have failed. It also helps control an acute attack. Other conditions that benefit include myasthenia gravis, thrombocytopenic purpura, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome among others.
Like any other procedure, certain risks are associated with plasmapheresis. Some patients may reject the new plasma due to allergic reactions. The patient is often given certain drugs before performing the procedure to prevent an allergic reaction, if they are known to have history of the same. The blood can get infected if sterile conditions are not observed.
Blood is unlikely to clot when it is in an optimal surrounding, inside the human body. However, once it is exposed to the external environment, the likelihood of clotting increases. This is why sodium citrate is given during the procedure. The patient is exposed to an additional problem; hypocalcemia (or low calcium levels). This happens because the sodium citrate has to extract calcium for clotting to be prevented.
Functionality of key systems in the body may be put at risk if hypocalcemia is not reversed in a timely manner. It can present with numbness, tingling and convulsions. Worse cases may present with respiratory distress (due to spasms in the respiratory tract) and difficulty in swallowing (due to uncontrolled muscle contractions). Management is by infusion of fluids containing calcium.
Each session takes about two to four hours. In a week, two or three treatments may be needed. A full course takes a minimum of two weeks. Thereafter, the individual shows improvement lasting a few weeks to months. If condition relapses, they may have to undergo further courses of therapy.
Evidently, plasmapheresis should not be regarded as a lasting solution, rather a complementary form of management The more the sessions, the higher the cost. Other treatments need to be considered before resorting to plasma exchange.
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You can find an overview of the benefits you get when you use plasma exchange therapy services at http://www.youngbloodinstitute.org/aging--blood.html right now.
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