1. Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP)

Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) 

An advanced therapeutic approach for treating various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. You need only arm vein access. No donor plasma or albumin needed.

Double Filtration Plasmapheresis

Treatment 

Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP, Double Filtration Apheresis): 

  1. For each patient they install a sterile single-use set. There is no contact between the machine and the blood, the blood goes only through the sterile set. 
  2. The machine washes the single-use set with saline to remove air.
  3. The doctor administers anticoagulant such as heparine.
  4. The patient is connected to the system through arm veins. The machine takes the blood.
  5. The first filter separates the blood into plasma and red blood cells. Red blood cells are immediately returned to the body. Plasma is heated and sent to the second filter which removes antibodies, cytokines, cholesterol, pathogenic immune complexes, heavy metals, and toxins.
  6. Clean plasma is returned to the body with saline. Dirty plasma is collected in a bag and can be sent to laboratory. 

 

We offer a choice of filters manufactured by Medica S.p.A.: three types of filters target LDL, different types of antibodies and other substances. 

Because the patient loses a very small volume of plasma, no donor plasma and no albumin replacement is required. DFPP can be performed in an ambulatory setting. 

DFPP is indicated for patients with various diseases across multiple medical specialties:

Rheumatology

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Systemic scleroderma
  • Allergic vasculitis
  • Hemorrhagic vasculitis
  • Polyarteritis nodosa
  • Dermatomyositis

Cardiology & Vascular Surgery

  • Viral myocarditis
  • Angina pectoris
  • Post-infarction syndromes
  • Carditis in connective tissue diseases
  • Systemic atherosclerosis
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Dyslipidemia

Neurology

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Allergic encephalitis
  • CNS demyelinating diseases
  • Slow-progressing viral CNS infections
  • Alzheimer's disease

Endocrinology

  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Diabetes and its complications
  • Insulin sensitization
  • Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Addison's disease

Gastroenterology

  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Hepatitis treatment
  • Fatty liver disease

Nephrology

  • Chronic kidney diseases
  • Lupus nephritis
  • Henoch-Schönlein purpura
  • Hemorrhagic vasculitis
  • Goodpasture syndrome
  • Paraproteinemia

Dermatology

  • Dermatitis and dermatoses
  • Psoriasis
  • Rosacea treatment
  • Pemphigus
  • Acne
  • Toxicodermia

Ophthalmology

  • Endocrine ophthalmopathy
  • Uveitis
  • Pseudotumor
  • Diabetic retinopathy

Allergology

  • Hay fever
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Urticaria
  • Physical allergies
  • Hypersensitivity reactions

Pulmonology

  • Fibrosing alveolitis
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Treatment of chronic lung diseases

Viral Diseases

  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Hepatitis
  • Viral skin diseases
  • Post-viral infection intoxication

Obstetrics & Gynecology

  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
  • Complex treatment of genital infections
  • Climacteric syndrome
  • IVF preparation

Benefits and Effects

DFPP Removes or Reduces:

  • Autoantibodies against nerve structures
  • Circulating pathogenic immune complexes
  • Abnormal haptens (heavy metals/pesticides)
  • Abnormal antibodies/paraproteins
  • Rheumatoid antibodies
  • Autoantibodies against connective tissue
  • Virus particles (including hepatitis C and HIV)

Other DFPP Effects:

  • Increased oxygen pressure in tissues
  • Optimization of blood flow properties
  • Elevation of reduced mitochondrial ATP
  • Reduction of nitrosative and oxidative stress