Why Is Therapeutic Apheresis Necessary?
Some diseases create substances which circulate throughout the body in the plasma portion of the blood. In certain diseases these substances are called “autoantibodies” or antibodies which attack healthy cells or tissue. These autoantibodies are created by a mix-up in the body’s immune system. Other diseases cause an overproduction of protein, which results in slowing down the blood flow (in the same way that thick liquids move more slowly than thin ones). A physician will decide if it is desirable to remove a large quantity of the autoantibodies or excess proteins so accompanying medical therapy is more effective in controlling the disease. Only in a few diseases is it possible to remove the specific substance causing the disease. However, it is possible to remove the plasma, which contains the substance. The plasma is replaced with donated fresh frozen plasma or, more commonly, physiologically acceptable replacement fluids, such as a mixture of albumin and normal saline. What Actuall
