Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="nephron, post: 260800, member: 23759"] He was getting frequent upper respiratory tract infections. Plasmapheresis involves removing the plasma & replacing it with 5% albumin. Well, your antibodies live in the plasma, so with removal of it, you become immunosuppressed. Because of that, I was in the process of setting up a filtration separator followed by LDL-exchange columns (columns covered in LDL receptors)--when the separated plasma runs across these filters, only the LDL is removed via the LDL receptors bound to the membrane latching onto the LDL in the plasma. The rest of the plasma is returned to the patient intact--including the antibodies. He was taking a "self-advised" break, which I couldn't argue with in light of the low immediate/interval risk. The only thing that might have changed acutely (besides LDL level) would have been endothelial function. However, I have the feeling he hastened the process by smoking, which is the most endothelial toxic substance you can put into your vascular system. ie, the endothelium weakens, becomes spastic, & becomes predisposed to plaque rupture and thrombus formation--total vessel occlusion. Who knows, maybe it would have happened anyway. :( [/QUOTE]