In modern medicine, technological advancements have significantly transformed how diseases are diagnosed, monitored, and treated. One such powerful medical innovation is apheresis (also spelled apherese in German-speaking regions), a specialized procedure that selectively removes specific components from a patient’s blood. Although the term might sound highly technical, the concept behind apheresis is surprisingly simple: the blood is drawn from the body, a machine separates out a particular component such as plasma, platelets, red blood cells, or harmful substances, and the remaining blood is returned to the patient.
Over the last few decades, apheresis has become an essential therapeutic tool used in hospitals, specialized clinics, and advanced medical centers worldwide, including progressive treatment hubs like apherese frankfurt. It plays a critical role in managing autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, neurological conditions, and even serves as a lifesaving procedure in emergency care. Beyond therapeutic use, apheresis is also used for donation purposes, such as when individuals donate plasma or platelets to help patients undergoing cancer treatments or surgeries.
Why Apheresis Is Used
- To Remove Harmful Substances from Blood
One of the most important reasons for performing apheresis is its ability to selectively remove substances that are causing harm. This includes:
- Autoantibodies
- Inflammatory proteins
- Toxins
- Excess cholesterol or lipids
- Abnormal blood cells
In autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or lupus, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. Apheresis helps by filtering out the autoantibodies responsible for the condition. This provides rapid symptomatic relief and can prevent further systemic damage.
- To Replace or Exchange Essential Blood Components
Some conditions require the removal of abnormal blood components while replacing them with healthy ones. For instance:
- In sickle cell disease, a red blood cell exchange can reduce sickling crises.
- In thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), plasma exchange is lifesaving.
This exchange mechanism is one of the reasons apheresis is more effective than simple medication in acute situations.
- To Collect Specific Blood Components for Donation
In blood donation centers, apheresis is employed to collect:
- Platelets
- Plasma
- White blood cells
- Stem cells
This is more efficient than whole blood donation because it gathers a higher concentration of specific components in a single session. Platelet donation via apheresis is especially crucial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- To Support Advanced Treatment Modalities
Modern medical centers, including specialized facilities such as apherese frankfurt, use apheresis in:
- Immunotherapy
- Regenerative medicine
- Chronic infection management
- Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP)
- Lipid apheresis for cardiovascular prevention
The ability to tailor treatments to individual patient needs makes apheresis one of the most versatile therapeutic tools in modern medicine.
Types of Apheresis
Apheresis is an umbrella term that includes several specialized procedures. Each type targets a specific blood component or substance. Below are the major forms:
- Plasma Exchange (Plasmapheresis)
This is one of the most common forms of apheresis. It removes plasma—the liquid portion of blood—which often contains harmful antibodies or proteins.
Used for:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Neurological conditions (GBS, myasthenia gravis)
- TTP
- Certain kidney diseases
In plasmapheresis, the patient’s plasma is replaced with donor plasma or albumin.
- Plateletpheresis
This procedure removes platelets from donated blood. It is mostly used in blood banks and donation centers.
Used for:
- Collecting platelets for cancer patients
- Managing patients with dangerously high platelet counts (thrombocytosis)
- Leukapheresis
This targets white blood cells. It can remove abnormal or excess leukocytes in cases such as acute leukemia.
Used for:
- Reducing extremely high white blood cell counts
- Collecting immune cells for research or immunotherapy
- CAR-T cell therapy preparation
- Erythrocytapheresis (Red Blood Cell Exchange)
This removes defective or harmful red blood cells and replaces them with healthy donor cells.
Used for:
- Sickle cell disease crises
- Severe malaria with high parasitic load
- Certain hemoglobinopathies
- LDL Apheresis (Lipid Apheresis)
A specialized technique used to remove LDL cholesterol and lipoproteins when medications are ineffective.
Used for:
- Familial hypercholesterolemia
- Patients at high cardiovascular risk
- Individuals resistant to lipid-lowering drugs
- Stem Cell Apheresis
Used to collect peripheral blood stem cells for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation procedures.
Used for:
- Leukemia and lymphoma treatment
- Regenerative therapies
- Stem cell banking
- Photopheresis (Extracorporeal Photopheresis – ECP)
A highly advanced form of apheresis where white blood cells are removed, treated with UV light, and reinfused to modulate immune function.
Used for:
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Chronic organ transplant rejection
- Immunoadsorption Apheresis
A precise therapeutic method that selectively removes antibodies without replacing plasma.
Used for:
- Severe autoimmune disorders
- Refractory neurological conditions
- Transplant compatibility preparation
Advantages of Apheresis
- High Precision and Targeted Action
Unlike drugs that affect the entire body, apheresis targets specific components. This reduces the risk of systemic side effects.
- Rapid Clinical Improvements
In many conditions, patients experience relief within hours or days.
For example:
- Neurological symptoms improve in GBS and myasthenia gravis
- TTP patients stabilize quickly
- Severe hyperlipidemia cases see immediate LDL reduction
- Helps When Medications Fail
When conventional therapies fail, apheresis offers an alternative pathway. This is crucial for drug-resistant autoimmune diseases.
- Customizable for Each Patient
Healthcare centers such as apherese frankfurt tailor apheresis plans based on:
- Age
- Body weight
- Medical condition
- Severity
- Treatment goals
- Can Be Used Repeatedly
Many patients undergo multiple apheresis sessions safely over long periods.
- Supports Lifesaving Emergency Treatments
In certain medical emergencies—particularly TTP—apheresis can mean the difference between life and death.
Benefits of Apheresis
- Removes Only What Is Harmful
The body retains beneficial components while eliminating harmful elements.
- Reduces Need for Strong Drugs
Patients may be able to reduce their reliance on corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or high-risk medications.
- Enhances Quality of Life
Those with chronic autoimmune or lipid disorders often experience improved physical functioning and reduced symptoms.
- Supports Organ Transplant Success
By reducing antibodies, apheresis increases compatibility and reduces rejection risk.
- Beneficial in Rare Diseases
Many rare disorders—previously considered untreatable—now have effective management strategies through apheresis.
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use
Apheresis can also help diagnose blood abnormalities while simultaneously treating them.
Steps Involved in an Apheresis Procedure
- Pre-Procedure Evaluation
Before apheresis, doctors conduct:
- Blood tests
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Assessment of veins
- Review of medications
This ensures the treatment is safe and appropriately tailored.
- Preparing the Patient
Patients are comfortably seated or placed in a recliner. The nurse explains the entire procedure, including sensations they may feel.
- Venous Access
Blood is drawn either through:
- A vein in the arm, or
- A central venous catheter (for patients needing repeated sessions)
- The Apheresis Machine Begins Processing Blood
The machine uses centrifugation or filtration to separate blood components. Depending on the type of apheresis, the machine:
- Removes harmful substances
- Removes or replaces plasma
- Exchanges cells
- Treats cells with UV light (in photopheresis)
- Return of Blood Components
After separation or treatment, the clean or processed blood is returned to the body. Anticoagulants may be used to prevent clotting inside the machine.
- Monitoring Throughout the Procedure
Nurses continuously monitor:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen levels
- Patient comfort
- Post-Procedure Observation
After apheresis, patients may rest briefly. Doctors ensure there are no side effects such as dizziness, low calcium levels, or fatigue.
- Long-Term Treatment Planning
Some conditions require a single session; others require repeated treatment over weeks or months, depending on medical needs.
Conclusion
Apheresis—or apherese, as it is also known—is one of the most advanced, versatile, and lifesaving procedures in modern medicine. It allows doctors to remove harmful elements from blood, replace abnormal components, collect essential cells for donation or therapy, and support a wide range of complex medical treatments. From autoimmune diseases and blood disorders to cardiovascular conditions and immunotherapy preparation, apheresis offers solutions where many conventional treatments fall short.
Modern medical centers, including specialized clinics like apherese frankfurt, continue to refine and expand the use of apheresis, making it more accessible, comfortable, and effective for patients worldwide. Whether used as a lifesaving emergency intervention, a chronic disease management tool, or a donation support system, apheresis has become an indispensable part of global healthcare.
FAQ
- What exactly is apheresis?
Apheresis is a medical procedure that removes a specific component from the blood while returning the remainder to the body.
- Is apheresis painful?
The procedure itself is generally painless except for vein insertion. Most patients feel comfortable throughout.
- How long does an apheresis session last?
Typically 1.5–3 hours, depending on the type of apheresis being performed.
- What conditions are treated with apheresis?
Autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, high cholesterol, neurological conditions, and transplant-related issues.
- Is apheresis safe?
Yes, it is considered very safe. Minor side effects such as fatigue, tingling due to low calcium, or dizziness may occur.
- How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your medical condition. Some conditions require a single session, while others require multiple treatments over time.
- Can apheresis be done in outpatient clinics?
Yes, many centers—including specialized facilities like apherese frankfurt—offer outpatient apheresis sessions.
- Are there alternatives to apheresis?
In some cases, medications may help, but apheresis is often chosen when rapid results or high precision is needed.
- Who cannot undergo apheresis?
Patients with severe anemia, unstable blood pressure, or certain heart conditions may not qualify.
- Does insurance cover apheresis?
In most medically necessary cases, yes. Coverage varies by provider and region.
