Etymed
plasmapheresis
Definition
A medical procedure that separates plasma from blood cells for therapeutic purposes
Clinical context
A 35-year-old woman presents with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and elevated creatinine levels. She has been experiencing hematuria and hypertension over the past week. Her physician decides to initiate plasmapheresis to remove circulating immune complexes and autoantibodies that are causing renal damage. The procedure helps to rapidly improve her kidney function and prevent further organ damage.
Mnemonic
PLASMA - PLease Remove Autoantibodies and Solute Materials Actively