Lipidpheresis and Plasmapheresis

Cancer Care Centers of South Texas offers Lipidpheresis and Plasmapheresis at  4411 Medical Drive, Suite 100 in San Antonio.  Please call 210-595-5300 for more information.

Plasmapheresis is a blood purification procedure used to treat various diseases. The basic procedure consists of removal of blood using a special blood separation system. The plasmapheresis system separates blood cells from plasma. Special mechanisms within the system separate out specific blood components and then return the blood cells and plasma back into the body's circulation. Plasma is usually replaced with albumin and saline.
 
Plasmapheresis may be used in the treatment of various diseases and blood disorders such as the following:
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Systemic Lupus erythematosus
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Relapsing Autoimmune Polymositis
  • Polyneuropathy
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Sickle Cell crisis
  • Hemophilia crisis
  • Other

Our lipidpheresis program uses the Liposorber® System. Even though patients may follow a low-fat diet, take cholesterol-lowering medications, sometimes the LDL cholesterol level remains at a dangerous level. Treatment with the Liposorber® System quickly lowers the LDL-C level by 73-83% after one treatment. Our program treats patient candidates that have not responded to diet or maximum tolerated drug treatment for six months:

  • Patient with LDL-C greater than or equal to 300 mg/dl
  • Patients with LDL-C greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl and documented coronary heart disease

Our Liposorber® System treatment is safe and very well tolerated. Patients do not need replacement fluids and there are no significant changes in laboratory values (apart form lipid values) with long-term treatment. Since 1987, over 250,000 patients have been safely treated with the Liposorber® System worldwide.

Insurance companies recognize the proven value of the Liposorber® System treatment. Over 45 insurance companies nationwide have approved reimbursement for Liposorber® treatment. And, the Liposorber® System is approved by the FDA.