plasmapheresis

American  

[plaz-muh-fuh-ree-sis] / ˌplæz mə fəˈri sɪs /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. a type of apheresis in which blood cells are returned to the bloodstream of the donor and the plasma is used, as for tranfusion.

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plasmapheresis British  

/ ˌplæzməˈfɛrəsəs /

noun

1. (in blood transfusion) a technique for removing healthy or infected plasma by separating it from the red blood cells by settling or using a centrifuge and retransfusing the red blood cells into the donor or patient

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Etymology

Origin of plasmapheresis

First recorded in 1915–20; plasm- + apheresis

Compare meaning

How does plasmapheresis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• apheresis vs. plasmapheresis

Example Sentences

When traditional treatments don’t work, plasmapheresis, which removes or exchanges blood plasma from the body, can also be an option.

From National Geographic • Oct. 3, 2023

She was only the 217th person in the world to be diagnosed with the disorder and among the first to receive the concoction of steroids, immunoglobulin infusions and plasmapheresis she credits for her recovery.

From New York Times • Nov. 2, 2019

But given that plasmapheresis had flushed out the patients' old plasma, Wyss-Coray says, “maybe they actually tested our greater hypothesis”.

From Nature • Sep. 26, 2017

Most of these patients get treated by plasmapheresis, a blood-filtering process akin to dialysis that involves being hooked to a machine for several hours over the course of a week.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2016

Thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other donors, expensive plasmapheresis machines to separate plasma from blood were sent to all three Ebola-affected countries for use in clinical studies.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 31, 2015