Nephrologist Christos Iatrou explains to ERTnews exactly what the plasmapheresis procedure is, in which cases it is used, and why, as he points out, its use for anti-aging and longevity purposes lacks sufficient scientific evidence.
Plasmapheresis, according to Dr. Iatrou, is an old method that dates back to 1913 and became widely known in the 1970s. It is primarily used to separate blood from donors so that plasma, red blood cells, and platelets can be transfused to patients according to their needs. However, there is also therapeutic plasmapheresis, in which “we remove plasma from the patient and pass it through a machine or a centrifuge” and replace the amount of plasma removed with other plasma or another fluid.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The patient who underwent plasmapheresis at this particular clinic
Christos Iatrou explains that he first learned about this center about a year ago, following an incident involving a patient who was hospitalized at Ygeia. As he recounts, the director of the Department of Internal Medicine called him to examine a patient who had undergone plasmapheresis.
According to him, the patient was 35 years old and had come from Cyprus. She had undergone numerous plasmapheresis sessions and, as her father reported, had paid “tens of thousands of euros.”
He said the Medical Association was notified of the incident; the association conducted an inspection but did not find any such machine in the clinic.
“Plasmapheresis is not substantiated as a method for anti-aging and longevity”
Referring to the use of plasmapheresis for anti-aging and longevity, Dr. Iatrou points out that this “is not substantiated by studies showing that plasmapheresis helps in this area.” As he explains, therapeutic plasmapheresis requires that the patient be ill, and there are specific guidelines from the American Plasmapheresis Society that determine in which cases it may be beneficial.
“Plasmapheresis is performed in hospitals.”
“Therefore, when someone undergoes plasmapheresis, it is clear” in which cases it is indicated, he notes, emphasizing that the paradox is that this specific procedure was reportedly being performed in a simple doctor’s office.
Dr. Iatrou emphasizes that in Greece, plasmapheresis is performed in hospitals—though it does not necessarily have to be a large hospital—as long as the appropriate equipment and an organized team are available. It can also be performed in the private sector, at large medical centers.
Dr. Iatrou argues that there must be a clear framework for such practices. “Of course there must be rules; I’m not disputing that. In fact, rules must be put in place now,” he says emphatically, while noting that there is always room for some people to try to circumvent the rules.
As he reports, he was informed that the machine had not been registered with the Medical Association, while he notes that there is a representative office of the Swiss company in Greece, in Thessaloniki.
Finally, the nephrologist emphasizes that it is not enough to simply have an approved machine. The machine must be located in a specific facility, there must be a properly trained operator, and, most importantly, the required medical supervision must be present.
Source: ERT
