For a long time, patients with certain blood condition have continued to suffer with very little available to sooth their pain. With new discoveries in the medical field, these patients are now able to manage their lives while grappling with their conditions. Among the advances that have come in handy is plasma exchange therapy (plasmapheresis). In this treatment modality, human blood is transferred to an external machine responsible for centrifugation and cleansing after which the modified form is taken back 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.
The relapsing type of multiple sclerosis is a typical example in which plasma exchange is utilized. However, the therapy only comes in handy when first line treatment options have failed. Other conditions that benefit from plasmapheresis include thrombocytopenic purpura, myasthenia gravis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The essence of the procedure is to eliminate toxic molecules in plasma that are major contributors to pathogenesis of the conditions.
Complications can occur in the process, immediately after or days after. One of these complications is rejection of the new blood. If the patient has reacted in previous procedures, the doctor is required to give medications that prevent allergy prior to performing the exchange. Another common complication is infection which can be minimized by keeping the process as sterile as possible.
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.
The doctor will closely monitor you for any signs of hypocalcemia and give a timely intervention because of the life threatening complications associated with it. Hypocalcemia is usually managed by infusing the affected individual with calcium to return it to normal levels. Some of the possible signs include paresthesia, loss of sensation, jerky movements and seizures. One may also display irritability, bronchospasms and swallowing difficulties.
An average of three hours is needed for a single session. Only two or three session are required in one week. At least two weeks are needed for one to complete a cycle of plasmapheresis. The patient is expected to be nursed for weeks or even months. A new cycle can resume if and when the illnesses manifests again.
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.
The relapsing type of multiple sclerosis is a typical example in which plasma exchange is utilized. However, the therapy only comes in handy when first line treatment options have failed. Other conditions that benefit from plasmapheresis include thrombocytopenic purpura, myasthenia gravis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The essence of the procedure is to eliminate toxic molecules in plasma that are major contributors to pathogenesis of the conditions.
Complications can occur in the process, immediately after or days after. One of these complications is rejection of the new blood. If the patient has reacted in previous procedures, the doctor is required to give medications that prevent allergy prior to performing the exchange. Another common complication is infection which can be minimized by keeping the process as sterile as possible.
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.
The doctor will closely monitor you for any signs of hypocalcemia and give a timely intervention because of the life threatening complications associated with it. Hypocalcemia is usually managed by infusing the affected individual with calcium to return it to normal levels. Some of the possible signs include paresthesia, loss of sensation, jerky movements and seizures. One may also display irritability, bronchospasms and swallowing difficulties.
An average of three hours is needed for a single session. Only two or three session are required in one week. At least two weeks are needed for one to complete a cycle of plasmapheresis. The patient is expected to be nursed for weeks or even months. A new cycle can resume if and when the illnesses manifests again.
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.