How To Treat Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

Plasmapheresis

Plasmapheresis helps reduce the activity of the immune system by temporarily removing certain components of this body system from the patient's overall circulation. The procedure involves filtering the patient's blood through a machine, and it is normally performed in a hospital setting. The procedure removes specific antibodies from a portion of the patient's blood known as plasma, and it generally takes several hours to complete. Patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis have a plasmapheresis session once every other day over the course of ten to fourteen days.

Prior to having the first session, the patient may need to have a minor surgical procedure to insert a central venous catheter, a device that allows blood to be removed and transported into the plasmapheresis machine much more rapidly than other methods. Nurses and hospital staff will closely monitor the patient's blood pressure, temperature, and pulse during each session, and they will also check for any abnormal bleeding or signs of infection. The most common side effect of this treatment is discomfort while blood is being taken, and patients might experience a drop in platelet count that could make them more vulnerable to infections and increase the risk of bruising or internal bleeding.

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