Hellenic Hematologists warn against plasmapheresis for longevity

The Hellenic Society of Hematology has issued a warning against the growing trend of using plasmapheresis as a tool for detoxification, wellness, or longevity. The medical society clarified that plasmapheresis is a specific medical procedure intended to treat autoimmune, neurological, or hematological diseases by removing pathological antibodies from the blood. It is not a scientifically validated method for general wellness or anti-aging.

The issue gained prominence following the death of singer Giorgos Mazonakis, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during a scheduled plasmapheresis session at a private clinic. The society emphasized that while stem cells (hematopoietic stem cells) are used in hospital settings for bone marrow transplants to regenerate blood, their use for any other purpose is unproven and potentially dangerous.

While the procedure is a standard treatment in hospital environments under specialized supervision, it has increasingly moved into luxury longevity clinics. In these settings, it is marketed to healthy individuals as a ‘biological service’ to reduce inflammation and slow aging, despite risks such as cardiovascular complications, hypotension, and heart rhythm disturbances.