Why is this procedure done?
Blood is very important to life. It transports oxygen, nutrients, and hormones. It also helps get rid of waste and helps you to fight infections. Your blood has different parts: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The yellow colored fluid part of your blood is the plasma. It carries blood cells and proteins throughout your body. ‚
The procedure to remove the blood cells from the plasma is called plasmapheresis. A machine separates the cells from the fluid. Sometimes, the plasma is treated and returned. Other times, it is replaced with new plasma. Some of the time, the doctors only give a small part of the plasma back to the patient. ‚
This procedure is done to: ‚
- Treat diseases that attack your own body systems. These are autoimmune diseases.
- Treat diseases that affect the nervous system
- Help prevent rejection after an organ transplant
- Help patients who get blood clots because of a blood disease
What will the results be?
- It purifies your blood.
- It may improve the signs of your disease.
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order lab tests.
- Wear clothing with short sleeves or sleeves that can be pulled up easily.
- Empty your bladder before the procedure starts.
What happens during the procedure?
- You will lie in a bed or sit in a reclining chair. The areas where needles will be put in are cleaned by the staff.
- You will have one or two needles in your arm. This may be on the same side, or one needle in each arm. The needles are attached to a long thin tube.
- If you will need treatment often, your doctor will put a special kind of I.V. into your shoulder, arm, chest, or groin area. You may also need this catheter if the veins in your arms are too small to use.
- The blood from your body will flow through the long tubes to the apheresis machine.
- The blood will be separated from the plasma inside the machine. This may be done by spinning the blood at a high speed or by using a filter with tiny pores.
- Based on why you are getting this treatment, your plasma will be treated and returned, or taken out completely. Sometimes, patients receive donor plasma or albumin that is mixed in with their own blood.
- The blood is returned to your body.
- The procedure may take 1 to 4 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You may feel some discomfort on the puncture site.
- If you had numbness or tingling in your arms or legs during the procedure, you may be asked to take Tums or some other calcium supplement.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your puncture site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Drop in blood pressure
- Bruising or swelling
- Bad reaction to the new plasma
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; rash; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge from the puncture site.
- Belly pain, upset stomach, and throwing up
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Skin or eyes become yellow
Where can I learn more?
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America ‚
http://www.myasthenia.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Ed4gfVgdS-8%3D&tabid=84 ‚
National Kidney Foundation ‚
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/Plasmapheresis.cfm ‚
National Multiple Sclerosis Society ‚
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Managing-Relapses/Plasmapheresis ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚