1 plasmapheresis | Definition of plasmapheresis

plasmapheresis

noun
plas·​ma·​phe·​re·​sis | \ ËŒplaz-mÉ™-fÉ™-ˈrÄ“-sÉ™s How to pronounce plasmapheresis (audio) , -ˈfer-É™-sÉ™s How to pronounce plasmapheresis (audio) \

Definition of plasmapheresis

: a process for removing blood plasma without depleting the donor or patient of other blood constituents (such as red blood cells) by separating out the plasma from the whole blood and returning the rest to the donor's or patient's circulatory system

Examples of plasmapheresis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tedder underwent plasmapheresis, a procedure that removes plasma from the blood cells, and immunoglobulin therapy, to introduce antibodies to help prevent infection. Jennifer Earl, Fox News, "South Carolina baby suffers stroke in womb, parents shocked to find out 6 months later," 7 May 2018 The dialysis-like process, known as plasmapheresis, is typically done before the transplant. Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "1 doctor, 2,000+ kidney transplants. If surgeons kept stats, he’d be LeBron James.," 26 Apr. 2018 In 2015, Swanson began weekly treatments known as plasmapheresis, in which her plasma — which contained the dangerous antibody — was replaced with donor plasma, much like in a blood transfusion. Vikki Ortiz Healy, chicagotribune.com, "North Aurora woman says she was cured after visit to grave of 'Little Cajun Saint'," 12 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plasmapheresis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of plasmapheresis

1914, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for plasmapheresis

New Latin, from plasm- + Greek aphairesis taking off — more at aphaeresis

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More Definitions for plasmapheresis

plasmapheresis

noun
plas·​ma·​pher·​e·​sis | \ ËŒplaz-mÉ™-ˈfer-É™-sÉ™s How to pronounce plasmapheresis (audio) , -fÉ™-ˈrÄ“-sÉ™s How to pronounce plasmapheresis (audio) \
plural plasmaphereses\ -​ËŒsÄ“z How to pronounce plasmaphereses (audio) \

Medical Definition of plasmapheresis

: apheresis used to remove blood plasma (as in the treatment of myasthenia gravis or in the collection of blood plasma for use in transfusion)