What is the Difference Between Apheresis and Dialysis?

Apheresis and dialysis are two distinct processes involved in removing substances from the blood. The main differences between them are:

1. Purpose: Apheresis is the process of removing a specific portion of the blood and returning the remainder of the blood to the patient. It is performed during blood donation or on patients with certain illnesses. Dialysis, on the other hand, is the process of removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys of the patient do not work properly due to conditions like chronic kidney disease.
2. Procedure: Apheresis separates the desired portion of the blood, such as plasma or white blood cells, and returns the remainder of the blood to the patient. Dialysis, however, involves using an artificial kidney to remove waste products, excess fluid, and regulate salt levels in the blood.
3. Applications: Apheresis can be used for various purposes, such as plasmapheresis (removal of plasma), leukapheresis (removal of white blood cells), and plateletpheresis (removal of platelets). Dialysis is primarily used for patients with kidney failure, as it helps remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
4. Techniques: Apheresis techniques include plasma exchange, double-filtration plasmapheresis, immunoadsorption, and low-density lipoprotein apheresis, all of which are used in treating various kidney diseases. Dialysis, on the other hand, can be hemodialysis, where blood is passed through an artificial kidney, or peritoneal dialysis, where the lining of the abdominal cavity is used as a natural filter.

In summary, apheresis is a process that removes a specific portion of the blood, while dialysis is a process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The purpose, procedure, and applications of these two processes differ significantly.

Comparative Table: Apheresis vs Dialysis

Here is a table comparing the differences between apheresis and dialysis:

Apheresis is a process that removes a specific portion of the blood and returns the remainder, targeting pathological materials such as cells, antibodies, and immune complexes. On the other hand, dialysis is a process that removes waste products, excess fluid, and helps maintain proper water and salt balance in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.