H.E.L.P. Apheresis
Heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation. Removes lipoproteins, fibrinogen, and inflammatory mediators from the blood.
What H.E.L.P. apheresis involves →Blood Purification
Apheresis Therapies
Targeted blood purification procedures that selectively remove harmful substances — autoantibodies, immune complexes, inflammatory mediators, and toxins — from the bloodstream.
What it is
What Is Apheresis?
Apheresis refers to a group of extracorporeal blood purification techniques in which blood is drawn from the patient, processed through a specialized filtration or adsorption system, and returned. Each apheresis method is designed to selectively remove specific disease-causing components while preserving healthy blood elements.
At St. George Hospital, apheresis is a cornerstone of treatment for chronic Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, and inflammatory disorders. By reducing the burden of circulating pathogens, autoantibodies, and inflammatory molecules, these therapies can produce rapid and measurable clinical improvement. Research by Dr. Beate Jaeger has highlighted the role of H.E.L.P. Apheresis in addressing fibrinoid microclots and endothelial dysfunction in Post-COVID patients, further expanding the clinical applications of these procedures.
Our Apheresis Methods
Blood Purification Procedures
Immunoadsorption
Selective removal of immunoglobulins and autoantibodies from plasma using protein A or antigen-specific adsorption columns.
What immunoadsorption involves →Plasma Exchange
Complete replacement of the patient's plasma with donor plasma or albumin solution to remove a broad range of pathological substances.
What plasma exchange involves →RBC Exchange
Red blood cell exchange replaces the patient's erythrocytes with healthy donor cells, used in sickle cell disease and parasitic infections.
What red blood cell exchange involves →Double Cascade Filtration
Two-stage plasma filtration that selectively removes large-molecular-weight proteins, including autoantibodies and immune complexes, while returning albumin.
What double cascade filtration involves →Who it is for
Why Apheresis?
Many chronic diseases are driven by circulating pathological substances that the body cannot clear on its own. Medications may suppress symptoms, but apheresis directly removes the causative agents from the bloodstream.
- Rapid reduction of autoantibody levels
- Removal of inflammatory cytokines and immune complexes
- Clearance of circulating toxins and pathogens
- Improved microcirculation and tissue oxygenation
- Synergy with antibiotic and immunological treatments
Is Apheresis Right for You?
The specific type of apheresis recommended depends on your diagnosis and laboratory findings. Our physicians will determine the most appropriate method after a thorough evaluation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about apheresis
What is apheresis?
Apheresis is a group of extracorporeal blood purification techniques: blood is drawn, processed through a specialised filtration or adsorption system, and returned. Each method selectively removes specific disease-causing components, such as autoantibodies, immune complexes, inflammatory mediators and toxins, while preserving healthy blood elements.
Which apheresis methods does St. George Hospital offer?
Five: H.E.L.P. apheresis, immunoadsorption, therapeutic plasma exchange, red blood cell exchange and double cascade filtration. Each has its own page describing what the procedure involves.
Which conditions is apheresis used for?
At St. George Hospital apheresis is a cornerstone of treatment for chronic Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions and inflammatory disorders. Research by Dr. Beate Jaeger on fibrinoid microclots and endothelial dysfunction has highlighted the role of H.E.L.P. apheresis in post-COVID patients, an important research direction that has expanded the clinical applications of these procedures.
How do you decide which type of apheresis I need?
The specific method depends on your diagnosis and laboratory findings. Our physicians determine the most appropriate procedure after a thorough evaluation, which begins with a video consultation and a review of your existing results.
Request a consultation
A video consultation in English before you travel. A physician reviews your findings first; we reply by email within one business day (Mon–Fri).
Mon–Thu 08:00–17:00, Fri 08:00–14:00 (CET/CEST)+49 8061 398-0info@clinicum-stgeorg.de
St. George Hospital is a specialist hospital, not an emergency department. In a medical emergency in Germany, dial 112.