Woodland Hospital, Shillong has conducted its first therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on a 39-year-old, who has responded well to the treatment.
The procedure is the first in the State. Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Indakiewlin Kharbuli said this was performed on the female patient in June after reports suggested that the patient is drained with low haemoglobin and impairment in the kidneys.
She said the patient had acquired a life-threatening blood disorder called Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).
The patient was discharged with injectable medication and after a follow up she was completely stable with no fresh complaints, Dr. Kharbuli added.
She explained that plasma exchange is a form of blood purification system which is done through a special filter. She said the procedure takes around 20 minutes.
Acquired TTP is a dangerous disease and without proper treatment up to 90 per cent of patient die due to bleeding or other complications the doctor informed, but said that with proper treatment the mortality risk could be reduced to 10 per cent.
