Apheresis vs. Dialysis — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 15, 2024
Apheresis removes specific blood components, affecting blood constituents selectively, whereas dialysis primarily filters waste from blood, mimicking kidney function.
Difference Between Apheresis and Dialysis
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Apheresis is a medical procedure that selectively removes particular components from the blood, such as platelets or plasma. Whereas dialysis is primarily used to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
During apheresis, blood is drawn from the body, processed through a machine to separate out specific components, and the remaining blood is returned to the body. On the other hand, in dialysis, blood passes through a machine where it is filtered and cleansed of toxins and excess fluids before being returned.
Apheresis is often used in the treatment of conditions like leukemia or to collect donor blood components for transfusions. In contrast, dialysis is a regular treatment for chronic kidney disease or acute kidney failure.
The equipment used in apheresis specifically targets and separates blood components using centrifugation or filtration techniques. Whereas, dialysis machines use a semipermeable membrane to remove unwanted substances from the blood.
The frequency and duration of apheresis procedures can vary based on the purpose, such as therapeutic treatment or collection for donation; dialysis typically requires regular sessions several times a week to effectively manage kidney failure.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Removes specific blood components
Filters waste and excess fluids from blood
Primary Use
Treatment of certain diseases, blood donation
Treatment of kidney failure
Mechanism
Centrifugation or filtration to separate components
Use of semipermeable membrane for filtration
Frequency of Procedure
Varies, often as needed for treatment or donation
Regularly, typically multiple times per week
Target Components
Platelets, plasma, leukocytes, etc.
Toxins, waste products, excess fluids
Compare with Definitions
Apheresis
Can target various blood components like platelets or white blood cells.
Platelet apheresis helps supply critical components for transfusions.
Dialysis
A treatment that mimics kidney function by filtering blood.
Dialysis is essential for patients with severe kidney damage.
Apheresis
A medical procedure to remove specific components from the blood.
Apheresis was performed to collect plasma from the donor.
Dialysis
Requires the use of a semipermeable membrane.
The semipermeable membrane in the dialysis machine filters the blood.
Apheresis
Used for both therapeutic and donation purposes.
The patient underwent apheresis to treat an autoimmune disorder.
Dialysis
Lifesaving for individuals with chronic or acute kidney failure.
Regular dialysis treatments sustain his quality of life.
Apheresis
Involves processing blood through a machine.
During apheresis, the machine separates blood cells from plasma.
Dialysis
Typically needed several times a week for patients.
She attends dialysis sessions three times a week.
Apheresis
Apheresis (ἀφαίρεσις (aphairesis, "a taking away")) is a medical technology in which the blood of a person is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the circulation. It is thus an extracorporeal therapy.
Dialysis
Removes toxins and excess fluids from the bloodstream.
The dialysis machine cleansed the blood of built-up toxins.
Apheresis
(Linguistics) Variant of aphaeresis.
Dialysis
In medicine, dialysis is the process of removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. This is referred to as renal replacement therapy.
Apheresis
Aph·e·re·sis (ăf′ə-rēsĭs) Medicine A procedure in which blood is drawn from a donor and separated into its components, some of which are retained, such as plasma or platelets, and the remainder returned by transfusion to the donor. Also called hemapheresis.
Dialysis
The separation of smaller molecules from larger molecules or of dissolved substances from colloidal particles in a solution by selective diffusion through a semipermeable membrane.
Apheresis
Elision, suppression, or complete loss of a letter or sound (syllable) from the beginning of a word, such as the development of special from especial; procope.
Dialysis
(Medicine) Any of several techniques, especially hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, in which filtration through a semipermeable membrane is used to remove metabolic wastes and excess fluid from the blood of people with kidney failure.
Apheresis
The removal of blood from a patient, and the removal of certain components (such as platelets) from that blood, followed by the transfusion of the filtered blood back to the donor (patient).
Dialysis
(chemistry) A method of separating molecules or particles of different sizes by differential diffusion through a semipermeable membrane.
Apheresis
Extirpation or extraction of a superfluity (especially a pathological one) from the body, especially blood.
Dialysis
(medicine) Utilization of this method for removal of waste products from the blood in the case of kidney failure: hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Artificial kidney
Apheresis
The dropping of a letter or syllable from the beginning of a word; e. g., cute for acute.
Dialysis
(rhetoric) The spelling out of alternatives, or presenting of either-or arguments that lead to a conclusion.
Apheresis
An operation by which any part is separated from the rest.
Dialysis
(rhetoric) Asyndeton.
Apheresis
(linguistics) omission at the beginning of a word as in `coon' for `raccoon' or `till' for `until'
Dialysis
Diæresis. See Diæresis, 1.
Apheresis
A procedure in which blood is drawn and separated into its components by dialysis; some are retained and the rest are returned to the donor by transfusion
Dialysis
Same as Asyndeton.
Apheresis
Typically requires less frequent sessions compared to dialysis.
The doctor scheduled apheresis sessions twice a month.
Dialysis
Debility.
Dialysis
The separation of different substances in solution, as crystalloids and colloids, by means of their unequal diffusion, especially through natural or artificial membranes.
Dialysis
Separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
Common Curiosities
Can apheresis be used in place of dialysis?
No, apheresis and dialysis serve different medical purposes and are not interchangeable.
What are common components targeted by apheresis?
Common components include plasma, platelets, and leukocytes.
What conditions require dialysis?
Conditions such as chronic kidney disease and acute kidney failure require dialysis.
How does dialysis work?
Dialysis works by filtering out waste, toxins, and excess fluid from the blood through a semipermeable membrane.
How long does a session of dialysis last?
A typical dialysis session lasts about four hours and is needed several times a week.
What is apheresis used for?
Apheresis is used to treat diseases by removing excess or abnormal blood components and to collect blood donations.
What are the risks associated with apheresis?
Risks include blood clots, bleeding, and infection, similar to other blood processing treatments.
What are the benefits of dialysis?
Benefits include removal of harmful wastes, balancing electrolytes, and preventing water overload in the body.
Is apheresis a frequent procedure?
The frequency of apheresis depends on the underlying condition being treated or the purpose of blood component collection.
Who can donate blood components through apheresis?
Healthy individuals who meet specific medical criteria can donate blood components through apheresis.
Can dialysis cure kidney disease?
Dialysis does not cure kidney disease; it manages symptoms and sustains life in the absence of kidney function.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
