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Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) is used to remove unwanted substances from the blood and to replace the missing enzyme that normally breaks down proteins (protease).
First, you will have your blood drawn as if you were donating blood.The plasma portion of the blood will be passed through a cell separator. The remaining portion of the blood will be saved, plasma will be added to it, and the blood will be returned to you via a transfusion.
In people who have thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, this treatment is repeated daily until blood tests show improvement. People who do not respond to this treatment, or who have frequent recurrences, may need to have surgery to remove the spleen. Or, they may need to get drugs that suppress the immune system (such as corticosteroids).
Plasmapheresis has improved the outcome of this disease so that most patients now recover completely. However, some people can die from this disease. In people who don't recover, this condition can become long-term ( chronic ).
Call your health care provider if you have any unexplained bleeding.
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