Therapeutic Apheresis 

Therapeutic apheresis is a procedure that can be used to remove a component of your blood that is causing your disease or symptoms. To remove the diseased or abnormal blood components, blood is drawn from you through a machine called an apheresis machine. The apheresis machine separates your blood into its different components, removes the component causing your disease, and returns the rest of your blood back to you. Depending on the procedure, you may receive fluids or blood products to replace the component that was removed. Types of apheresis procedures offered at the Queen’s Medical Center include:

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: plasma is removed and replaced with albumin or fresh frozen plasma.

Platelet Reduction: some platelets are removed and IV fluids may be given if needed.

White Blood Cell Reduction: some white blood cells are removed and IV fluids may be given if needed.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The length of time needed will vary depending on the reason for the apheresis procedure. Therapeutic procedures usually take 2-3 hours, however the amount of time for your procedure may be shorter or longer. We recommend using the restroom before the procedure starts, however, our staff can assist you with a bedpan or urinal if you need to use the restroom during the procedure.

Many patients watch television, read or listen to music to pass the time during the procedure.

Some procedures require the use of an intravenous (IV) catheter, while others may be performed using IV needles. Temporary or long-term IV catheters can be put in at the bedside by a surgeon or in the radiology department. The catheter has two sides: one to draw your blood, the other to return your blood to you. IV needles can be placed in your arms, with one needle to draw your blood and another to return the blood to your body. Both needles will be removed after the procedure is over.

Using the IV catheter or IV needles, blood will be drawn from you and will then go through the apheresis machine where it will be spun rapidly. The rapid spinning separates the different parts of your blood into layers based on the weight of the different parts of blood. Once the blood is in layers, the diseased or abnormal part can be removed and the rest of your blood will be returned to you.

During the procedure, some people temporarily feel lightheaded, faint, nauseated, cold, or may feel tingling in their lips or fingers. If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your nurse.

After the Procedure

After completing the apheresis procedure, you may temporarily feel a little tired or stiff.

If you are receiving the procedure as an inpatient and will be staying in the hospital overnight, you will be returned to your room and monitored. For patients who are not staying in the hospital, our staff will review instructions for self-care at home.