What is different between apheresis and dialysis?

Apheresis and dialysis are both medical procedures that involve removing substances from the blood. However, there are some key differences between the two procedures.

Apheresis is a procedure in which a specific component of the blood is removed, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. This is done by passing the blood through a machine that separates the desired component from the rest of the blood. Apheresis is often used to treat conditions such as anemia, leukemia, and thrombocytopenia.

Dialysis is a procedure in which the blood is filtered to remove waste products and excess fluid. This is done by passing the blood through a semipermeable membrane that allows the waste products and fluid to pass through, while retaining the red blood cells and other important components of the blood. Dialysis is often used to treat conditions such as kidney failure and end-stage renal disease.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between apheresis and dialysis:

| Feature | Apheresis | Dialysis |

|---|---|---|

| Purpose | Removes a specific component of the blood | Removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood |

| Method | Blood is passed through a machine that separates the desired component from the rest of the blood | Blood is passed through a semipermeable membrane that allows the waste products and fluid to pass through |

| Conditions treated | Anemia, leukemia, thrombocytopenia | Kidney failure, end-stage renal disease |

It is important to note that apheresis and dialysis are both complex medical procedures that should only be performed by trained healthcare professionals.