Therapeutic Apheresis & Cellular Therapy

Specialized Procedures

• Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE)

  During this procedure, a patient’s plasma is removed and replaced with 5% albumin, saline and/or donated plasma. TPE is used for a wide range of indications, including TTP, antibody-mediated syndromes in neurology, nephrology, and hematology and organ transplantation.

  Performed at:

  • BloodCenter of Wisconsin
  • Michigan Blood
• Red Blood Cell Exchange (RBCX)

  A procedure in which abnormal red blood cells (RBCs) are removed and replaced with donated RBCs. RBCX is performed for acute episodes and chronic management in sickle cell disease and in the case of certain infections (e.g., malaria and babesiosis) in which RBCs are damaged.

  Performed at:

  • BloodCenter of Wisconsin
  • Michigan Blood
• White Blood Cell Depletion (or Leukopheresis)

  During this procedure, an excessive amount of white blood cells are rapidly removed in disease causing hyperleukocytosis, such as leukemia, which may cause complications such as stroke, respiratory failure and/or renal failure.

  Performed at:

  • BloodCenter of Wisconsin
  • Michigan Blood
• Platelet Depletion

  A procedure in which an excessive amount of platelets is rapidly removed in diseases like essential thrombocytosis, which may cause complications, such as stroke or heart attack.

  Performed at:

  • BloodCenter of Wisconsin
  • Michigan Blood
• Photopheresis

  A procedure in which white blood cells are separated from a patient’s blood and treated with a medication called Methoxsalen, which makes them sensitive to ultraviolet light. The treated white blood cells are exposed to ultraviolet light and returned to the patient. Photopheresis may be used to treat graft vs. host disease, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and organ transplant rejection.

  Performed at:

  • BloodCenter of Wisconsin
  • Michigan Blood
• LDL Apheresis

  A procedure in which LDL cholesterol is rapidly removed for chronic treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

  Performed at:

  • BloodCenter of Wisconsin