The word "Thrombocytophereses" is a mouthful, but its spelling can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first part, "thrombo-", is pronounced with a voiced "th" sound followed by "r" and "ah" sounds. "Cyto" is pronounced with a long "i" sound and a "t" sound. "-pher" is pronounced with an "f" sound followed by a short "er" sound. Finally, "-eses" is pronounced with a long "e" sound, a voiced "z" sound, and a short "s" sound. All together, this word refers to a medical procedure to remove platelets from the blood.
Thrombocytophereses is defined as a medical procedure that involves the removal of platelets from a patient's blood. Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells found in the blood that play a critical role in blood clotting.
Thrombocytophereses is typically performed as a therapeutic intervention in individuals with excessive platelet levels or disorders of platelet function. This procedure is often utilized in conditions like thrombocythemia (high platelet count) or certain bleeding disorders, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). By reducing the platelet count, thrombocytophereses can help manage these disorders and prevent complications associated with excessive blood clotting or bleeding.
The procedure involves connecting the patient to a machine known as apheresis machine, which separates the components of blood. Blood is drawn from the patient's arm into the machine, where the platelets are separated from other blood cells. The remaining blood components, including red blood cells and plasma, are then reinfused back into the patient's body, while the separated platelets are either discarded or saved for future use in medical treatments.
Thrombocytophereses is often performed in a medical facility, such as a hospital or specialized clinic, under the guidance of trained healthcare professionals. Prior to the procedure, a thorough evaluation is typically conducted to determine the appropriateness of the treatment, and patients may require additional platelet transfusions depending on their underlying condition and response to the therapy.
The word "thrombocytophereses" is derived from two main components: "thrombocyte" and "pheresis".
1. Thrombocyte:
The word "thrombocyte" comes from the Greek word "thrombos" meaning "clot" or "lump" and the Greek word "kytos" meaning "cell". Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, are the smallest blood cells responsible for blood clotting and wound healing.
2. Pheresis:
The word "pheresis" originates from the Greek word "pheresis", which means "removal" or "carrying away". In medicine, the term is used to refer to a procedure in which a specific component of blood is selectively removed or collected while returning the remaining blood to the individual.