Specific Procedures

The IHBT Apheresis Department performs the following therapeutic apheresis procedures in patients:

Plasma exchange (therapeutic plasmapheresis)

This therapeutic apheresis consists of an effective removal of plasma from a patient’s blood circulation and its replacement either with plasma or albumin solution. Plasma is removed together with autoimmune antibodies, circulating immune complexes, paraproteins, etc.

Erythrocytapheresis (red cell exchange, erythrocyte exchange)

A therapeutic procedure that serves to rapidly remove abnormal red cells from a patient’s blood circulation and to replace them with red cells from healthy donors. It is used e.g. in sickle-cell anemia treatment.

Depletion leukocytapheresis, leukodepletion (withdrawal of leukocytes, separation/depletion of leukocytes)

A therapeutic procedure that serves to rapidly remove multiplied leukocytes from a patient’s blood circulation. Leukocytes are separated from the other blood components in a separator and collected in a collection bag. The procedure is performed in hyperleukocytic patients with acute or chronic leukemia.

Depletion erythrocytapheresis, erythrocyte depletion (withdrawal of erythrocytes, separation/depletion of erythrocytes)

A therapeutic procedure that serves to rapidly remove multiplied erythrocytes from a patient’s blood circulation. Erythrocytes are separated from the other blood components in a separator and are collected in a collection bag. The procedure is performed in patients with primary polycythemia and secondary erythrocytosis.

Depletion thrombocytapheresis, thrombocyte depletion (withdrawal of platelets, separation/depletion of thrombocytes)

A therapeutic procedure that serves to rapidly remove multiplied platelets from a patient’s blood circulation. Excess platelets are separated from the other blood components in a separator and collected in a collection bag. The procedure is performed in patients with thrombocytosis that is difficult to control, e.g. in myeloproliferative disease.

Collection of hematopoietic cells from peripheral blood

Donors’ and patients’ hematopoietic cells are flushed from bone marrow to peripheral blood after their mobilization. With the help of hemapheresis technique they are withdrawn from blood. After high-dose chemotherapy, peripheral hematopoietic cells can trigger the renewal of blood formation and immunity functions.

IgG immunoadsorption

A therapeutic procedure facilitating an effective removal of antibodies, inhibitors and immune complexes from patients’ blood. The method uses immunoadsorption columns. It is suitable in situations when centrifugal procedures fail to reduce the contents of undesirable components in circulation.

It is used most frequently for patients with autoimmunity disease or for patients in the framework of pre- or post-transplantation regimen for removing Igs acting against surface structures of transplanted cells. It is effective in the therapy of patients with myasthenia gravis, hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitor and of patients with refractory TTP.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP, photopheresis)

A therapeutic procedure that influences the reactivity of patients’ immunity system. The method is indicated in the therapy of diseases in whose pathogenesis T lymphocytes are involved. Photochemotherapy is an effective method in the graft versus host therapy and cutaneous T lymphoma therapy.

A portion of white blood cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) is removed in a blood cell separator from a patient’s blood. Then the patient is disconnected from the device. Photosensibilization agent 8-methoxypsoralen is added to white blood cells and then the cells are exposed to ultraviolet A radiation. Modified cells are returned through autotransfusion back to the patient’s circulation.