What does plasmapheresis mean?
Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure for removing plasma from circulating blood. The separated red and white blood cells and platelets are commonly returned to the patient, sometimes with a replacement fluid, while the collected plasma is discarded or used for another purpose. In therapeutic settings, the procedure may help remove harmful antibodies, proteins, or other substances associated with disorders of the immune system. A related procedure known as donor plasmapheresis collects plasma from healthy donors for use in transfusions or manufactured medical products. The word is most often encountered in hospitals, blood-donation centers, and specialist medical literature. It should not be confused with hemodialysis: plasmapheresis separates plasma from blood, whereas hemodialysis removes waste and excess fluid by filtering the blood through an artificial membrane.
nounA medical procedure in which plasma is removed from circulating blood, usually with the blood cells returned to the body and replaced by a suitable fluid. It may be used therapeutically or to collect plasma from a donor.
- The removal of plasma from circulating blood, with the blood cells usually returned to the body and a replacement fluid sometimes administered.
- The collection of plasma from a donor for transfusion or other medical use.
"The patient underwent plasmapheresis after the treatment caused a severe autoimmune reaction."
"Her weekly plasmapheresis session helped remove the circulating antibodies causing her condition."
"The blood bank used plasmapheresis to collect plasma from qualified donors."
Its name joins “plasma” with a Greek root meaning “to carry off,” literally describing the removal of liquid from the blood.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plasmapheresis come from?
Plasmapheresis was formed from “plasma,” from Greek plassein, “to mold,” and a combining form based on Greek pherein, “to carry,” with the sense of carrying something away. The compound became established in medicine during the early 20th century as a term for separating plasma from blood. It belongs to a family of Greek-derived medical terms concerned with removal or separation.
Related word forms
How plasmapheresis is actually used
The term is primarily used in clinical and blood-donation contexts. Therapeutic removal is often described specifically as plasma exchange, while “donor plasmapheresis” refers to collection from a healthy donor.
Easily confused with plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis removes blood plasma while generally returning the blood cells, whereas hemodialysis filters waste and excess fluid from the blood.