Plasmapheresis is the process of filtering plasma from the blood. This medical term is spelled "plasma-fuh-REE-sis," with four syllables. The initial "p" is pronounced with a slight popping sound, followed by "lasma" with a short "a" sound, and the emphasis on the second syllable. The "ph" at the beginning of the third syllable is pronounced as an "f" sound. The final "esis" is pronounced with a long "e" sound, followed by a soft "s" and a strong emphasis on the final syllable.
Plasmapheresis is a therapeutic medical procedure that involves the removal, separation, and return of plasma from the blood in order to treat various medical conditions. The process of plasmapheresis typically involves the use of a specialized medical device called a plasmapheresis machine.
During plasmapheresis, blood is first drawn from the patient's body using a needle or catheter. The blood then flows into the plasmapheresis machine, where it is separated into its components – red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The plasma, which contains various proteins, antibodies, and waste products, is removed from the blood and temporarily stored.
Depending on the condition being treated, the removed plasma may be discarded or replaced with a suitable substitute, such as albumin or saline solution. The remaining blood components, including red blood cells and white blood cells, are then reinfused back into the patient's body, often mixed with the substitute plasma or a donor plasma.
Plasmapheresis is primarily used to treat autoimmune diseases, immune system disorders, and certain neurological conditions. By removing the plasma, this procedure can reduce the level of harmful antibodies, immune complexes, or other factors causing the disease, providing relief to the patient.
Overall, plasmapheresis is a medical intervention that allows for the selective removal and replacement of plasma from the blood, offering therapeutic benefits for individuals suffering from specific medical conditions.
An operation consisting of a copious venesection, centrifugation of the corpuscular elements of the blood, their suspension in a suitable medium, and return to the blood vascular system, thus getting rid of the fluid portion loaded with toxic material.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "plasmapheresis" is derived from two Greek roots - "plasma" and "aphairesis".
1. "Plasma" is derived from the Greek word "plassein", which means "to mold" or "to form". In the context of plasmapheresis, "plasma" refers to the fluid component of blood that contains various proteins, electrolytes, and nutrients.
2. "Aphairesis" is derived from the Greek word "aphairesis" (αφαίρεση) or "aphairein" (αφαιρειν), which means "to take away" or "to remove". The term "aphairesis" is used to describe the act of separating or removing a specific component from a mixture or solution.