In modern medicine, plasma exchange and autologous plasmapheresis are widely used to treat various diseases, especially autoimmune diseases. But what exactly is the difference between the two and how it affects the patient’s quality of life? Let’s delve deeper into this topic.
Plasma purification is an extracorporeal therapy that removes, treats, and returns plasma or its components to improve a patient's health. In this procedure, blood is first removed through a needle or implanted catheter, and then different methods are used to separate the plasma from the blood cells.
Autologous plasma therapy involves removing a patient's own plasma, processing it, and then returning it to the patient. In contrast, plasma exchange removes the patient's plasma and replaces it with plasma or its components from another donor. The intentions and usage of the two are obviously different. The former focuses on individual recovery, while the latter addresses the problem of harmful substances in plasma.
Autologous plasma therapy is mainly used for specific medical conditions, while exchange plasma is suitable for a wider range of diseases.
Both therapies are used to treat immune system diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and myasthenia gravis. Plasma purification is particularly suitable for rapid removal of disease-causing autoantibodies, which is critical in emergency medical care.
Although these two treatments can improve the condition, they also have potential risks. These include bleeding or infection that may occur during intubation, as well as side effects such as hypocalcemia that may occur during treatment.
The complications of plasma therapy are not trivial, so doctors need to be particularly cautious when performing these procedures.
The process of plasma donation is similar to whole blood donation, but the collected plasma is used to make other products. Donors undergo rigorous screening to ensure the safety of both the donor and the collected products. These tests include measuring blood pressure, pulse and health history screening.
Plasma purification was first described in the early 20th century, and the technology has evolved as research into its effects has grown. Early studies were conducted in humans and over time showed effectiveness against a variety of diseases.
Both autologous plasma therapy and plasma exchange are indispensable technologies in contemporary medical care. They each have their own advantages and limitations. The patient's choice should be based on the patient's condition and the physician's recommendations. Each treatment method represents the in-depth understanding of diseases in the medical field. What changes do you think will happen to plasma therapy in the future with the development of science and technology?