AUTh Nephrology Clinic clarifies plasmapheresis medical standards

The First Nephrology Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), located at Hippocrates Hospital in Thessaloniki, has issued a clarification regarding the medical practice of plasmapheresis. Following recent media and internet discussions, the clinic emphasized that plasmapheresis is a highly specialized therapeutic method and not a routine or outpatient procedure.

The clinic stated that the process involves an extracorporeal circulation method designed to rapidly remove pathological substances—such as autoantibodies, immune complexes, or other proteins—from the blood plasma. During the procedure, blood is separated into plasma and cellular components; the plasma is removed and replaced with replacement fluids, such as fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or albumin solutions.

Medical professionals stressed that the procedure is intended for treating serious and urgent conditions, including severe renal, hematological, neurological, or immunological diseases. They explicitly noted that plasmapheresis is not performed for cosmetic purposes or for “wellness” and must only be conducted within organized hospital units under strict medical supervision.