Rheopheresis
Rheopheresis
Rheopheresis (pronounced: ree-o-feh-ree-sis) is a medical procedure that involves the selective removal of high molecular weight proteins from the blood. The term is derived from the Greek words "rheo" meaning flow, and "pheresis" meaning to carry away.
Etymology
The term Rheopheresis is derived from two Greek words. "Rheo" which means flow, and "pheresis" which means to carry away. Thus, the term essentially means "to carry away flow" or "to remove by flow", which is indicative of the process involved in the procedure.
Procedure
Rheopheresis is a type of apheresis procedure. It involves the use of a special machine to remove certain components from a patient's blood. The blood is first drawn from the patient and then passed through a machine that separates it into its various components. The high molecular weight proteins, which are believed to contribute to certain medical conditions, are then removed. The remaining blood components are then returned to the patient.
Uses
Rheopheresis is primarily used in the treatment of certain eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. It is believed that by removing the high molecular weight proteins, the procedure can help to improve blood flow to the eyes and reduce the risk of vision loss.
Related Terms
- Apheresis: A medical procedure that involves removing one or more blood components from a patient's blood.
- Age-related Macular Degeneration: A medical condition that causes vision loss in the macula, the part of the eye that controls central vision.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, causing damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rheopheresis
- Wikipedia's article - Rheopheresis
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