What is "plasmapheresis"

n. (context medicine English) A procedure in which whole blood is removed from a donor or patient and centrifuged to isolate blood cells that are resuspended in a compatible solution and re-injected into the donor or patient.

n. plasma is separated from whole blood and the rest is returned to the donor

Plasmapheresis (from the Greek πλάσμα—plasma, something molded, and ἀφαίρεσις—aphairesis, taking away) is the removal, treatment, and return of (components of) blood plasma from blood circulation. It is thus an extracorporeal therapy (a medical procedure performed outside the body). The method is also used during plasma donation: blood is removed from the body, blood cells and plasma are separated, the blood cells are returned while the plasma is collected and frozen to preserve it for eventual use in the manufacture of a variety of medications.

The procedure is used to treat a variety of disorders, including those of the immune system, such as Goodpasture's syndrome, myasthenia gravis, Guillain–Barré syndrome, lupus, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.