Introduction
Plasmapheresis is the name for a grouping of procedures in which blood plasma is removed from the body and separated into parts either to treat the blood cells or to prepare them for donation. I chose to research plasmapheresis because my mom is a nurse who oversees patients undergoing plasmapheresis at the hospital. Plasmapheresis does not affect my life currently, nor will it (most likely) in the future, as it is an uncommon procedure. Composition of ...
Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components
Chemistry's Role
Plasmapheresis is an almost completely physical process, however chemistry is still involved. Blood of course is chemically created within one’s own body (or from another person’s in the case of blood donation). Also the binding of sodium citrate to calcium in the blood is the most important chemical piece of the plasmapheresis puzzle.
Background Research
Plasmapheresis is used to treat many diseases including: Goodpasture’s syndrome, Guillain–Barré syndrome, lupus, and myasthenia gravis. One of the side effects of donating blood through plasmapheresis can be calcium deficiency, as Sodium Citrate is bound to calcium in the blood to prevent the blood from clotting whilst in the machine. Patients are given calcium supplements in order to prevent calcium levels from going too low.
Resources
About the Author
John Holbrook is a junior at Billings Senior High School. He enjoys procrastinating on projects until the last possible moment. He plans on attending Harvard University and to achieve an Associate’s degree in music theory. He can sometimes can get good grades, and is a 2 time AA State Football Championship viewer.