Therapeutic apheresis: a literature review
Main Article Content
Keywords
ASFA guidelines, plasma exchange, therapeutic apheresis
Abstract
Introduction: Therapeutic apheresis is an extracorporeal procedure designed to remove pathogenic components from the blood and reinfuse the remaining elements to the patient. Despite established guidelines such as those from the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA), comprehensive reviews integrating clinical efficacy, safety, and evolving technologies remain limited. This literature review aims to synthesize current evidence of therapeutic apheresis across diverse medical conditions to support optimized patient management and guide future research.
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted for relevant studies published within the last ten years. Keywords included “therapeutic apheresis,” “plasma exchange,” and disease-specific terms. Inclusion criteria covered original research, clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and professional guidelines related to therapeutic apheresis. Data were extracted and thematically analyzed to assess indications, techniques, outcomes, and complications.
Results: The history and advancement of apheresis technologies were summarized, emphasizing centrifugation and membrane filtration methods. Indications for therapeutic apheresis span hematologic, autoimmune, and neurological disorders, with ASFA categories guiding clinical decision-making. The procedure is generally safe, though risks such as citrate toxicity, hypovolemia, and allergic reactions exist, particularly in vulnerable populations. Monitoring through laboratory testing is critical for safety and efficacy. Despite some complications, mortality is rare and primarily associated with plasma use in specific conditions.
Conclusions: Therapeutic apheresis is a valuable treatment modality with broad clinical applications. Careful patient selection, guided by evidence-based indication categories and vigilant monitoring, optimizes outcomes and minimizes risks.
References
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