New Service - Apheresis

Clearing the blood to support life saving care.

We now offer this new service privately in our London clinic. Apheresis is a treatment that selectively removes harmful substances linked to cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and long COVID.

Call now: 020 3355 3536

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What Is Apheresis?
Double Filtration
Benefits
What to expect
FAQs

What is Apheresis?

Apheresis is a medical treatment where blood is passed through a filtration system to remove specific disease-related components such as inflammatory proteins, autoantibodies and harmful lipids. The cleaned blood is then returned safely to the patient. It is a precise, low-risk procedure that can be repeated safely and comfortably in an outpatient setting.

Different forms of apheresis exist depending on the condition being treated, each tailored to selectively remove components of the blood. Apheresis is a treatment to consider for people who are regaining their cognitive clarity after chemotherapy treatment, some people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and those with post-viral conditions such as long covid.

We currently offer apheresis to patients with:

Long Covid / Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
Neurodegenerative Conditions (e.g., early-stage Alzheimer’s disease)
Lipid Disorders (e.g., Elevated Lipoprotein(a), Familial Hypercholesterolemia)

What is Double Filtration Plasmapheresis?

At Re:Cognition Health, we offer Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) — a next-generation plasma treatment.

In the first step, blood is separated into plasma and blood cells.
In the second step, the plasma passes through a fine filter that removes harmful proteins, lipids, and antibodies.
The cleaned plasma and the blood cells are returned to the body.

Unlike older methods that removed and replaced your plasma with artificial fluids, DFPP keeps your own plasma, cleans it, and returns it to your body, reducing side effects, avoiding major fluid changes, and allowing more blood to be treated safely.

Each patient’s treatment plan is individually tailored, with session frequency and filter selection adjusted accordingly. We base this on clinical goals, how you respond to treatment, and your tolerance to it.

The benefits of apheresis

Apheresis is not a cure in the traditional sense, it does not remove the underlying genetic or immunological cause of disease. However, it may offer life-changing benefits, especially when used as part of a well-managed treatment plan.

Depending on your diagnosis, apheresis may lead to:

Relief of symptoms such as fatigue, pain, or brain fog
Improved physical and cognitive function
Better overall quality of life

In lipid disorders, a reduction in major cardiac events (such as heart attack or stroke) by up to 80% or more, based on long-term clinical studies.

While results vary by individual, in some cases the impact is so significant that it can feel like a functional cure, transforming a high-risk, debilitating illness into something manageable.

As a treatment option Apheresis also allows for:

Tailored treatment protocols to optimise patient outcomes
Outpatient procedures with minimal recovery time
Applications across conditions: cognitive, cardiovascular, and post-viral disorders

What to expect

WHERE do I begin?

Apheresis is a specialist procedure and forms part of a wider treatment pathway. To begin:

Specialist Consultation: You must first be assessed by a Consultant with expertise in your condition (e.g., post-viral illness, neurology, cardiology). They will ensure that all relevant investigations have been completed and that apheresis is appropriate as part of your care.

Apheresis Review: If appropriate, you will then meet with an Apheresis Consultant who will explain the treatment in detail, assess your vascular access, and organise pre-treatment blood tests and a physical examination. These are required both for safety and to tailor treatment to your specific needs.

Consent: Once you are satisfied and all your questions are answered, you will be asked to sign a formal consent form prior to treatment.

What happens during treatment?

A treatment session typically lasts 1.5 to 3 hours. Here’s what to expect:

Needle Insertion Two needles are placed into veins on your arms — one to draw blood and one to return it. These are larger than those used in standard blood tests but are well tolerated in patients with suitable veins. A numbing cream is provided to ease the sensation of needle placement.

Double Filtration Process First, your blood is separated into plasma and blood cells. Then, the plasma passes through a second filter, specifically selected based on your condition, to remove targeted disease-related components. Finally, your filtered plasma and blood cells are safely returned to your body.

During the Session You will be seated in a relaxed outpatient environment. Many patients read, watch something on a device, or listen to music.

Aftercare You are encouraged to arrange for a friend or family member to collect you after your session. It is common to feel tired for a few hours to a day after treatment. This usually resolves with rest and a good night’s sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apheresis has been used in hospitals and specialist clinics worldwide for decades. DFPP is a well-tolerated method, but like any medical procedure, it carries some risks. The most common side effects are:
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Feeling cold or tired
- Low blood pressure
- Mild nausea or stomach cramping
- Bruising or discomfort at needle sites
Your Apheresis Consultant will discuss the full list of potential risks and how they can be minimised. You’ll be closely monitored during each session.
That depends. Some people benefit from a single session, while others may need a course of treatments spaced over several weeks or months. Your consultant will create a tailored plan and adjust it based on how you respond.
Whilst apheresis can be applied to a number of conditions, we currently only offer apheresis to patients with:
- Long Covid / Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
- Neurodegenerative Conditions (e.g., early-stage Alzheimer’s disease)
- Lipid Disorders (e.g., Elevated Lipoprotein(a), Familial Hypercholesterolemia)
Apheresis is a clinically established treatment with strong evidence in each of the three conditions we support at Re:Cognition Health:

Long Covid and Post-Viral Syndromes
Apheresis is being actively studied for Long Covid. In several international studies:
- 74% of patients with chronic fatigue or long covid experienced symptom improvements, particularly in fatigue, brain fog, and physical stamina.
- Reductions in inflammatory markers and autoantibodies have been observed, which may support the body’s recovery from viral injury
Ongoing trials in Germany and other countries continue to evaluate the long-term benefits of DFPP in this group.

Neurodegenerative Diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease)
In a large-scale clinical trial (AMBAR):
- Total plasma exchange with replacement of plasma proteins slowed cognitive decline by 66% and functional decline by 52% in patients with early Alzheimer’s
- Our approach builds on this by using a less invasive, plasma-preserving method, which may allow for gentler, more frequent treatment In some cases, DFPP can be combined with other investigational or approved therapies offered by Re:Cognition Health.
Lipid Disorders
For patients with high cholesterol or elevated Lipoprotein(a) who have not responded to medication:
- Lipid apheresis has shown up to 70% LDL reduction and 84% Lp(a) reduction
- In high-risk individuals, apheresis has reduced the risk of heart attack or stroke by up to 81% over 1–2 years
It is a globally recognised therapy in specialist lipid clinics.
Dialysis and apheresis are both blood filtration treatments, but they serve different purposes and target different components in the blood.

Dialysis is used primarily for people with kidney failure. It removes waste products, excess fluid and toxins from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so effectively. It typically targets substances like urea, creatinine, and electrolytes.

Apheresis, on the other hand, is used to treat a range of immune, neurological, and cardiovascular conditions by selectively removing specific disease-related components, such as inflammatory proteins, autoantibodies, or abnormal lipids, while returning your own plasma or blood cells back to your body. It is more targeted and often part of a personalised treatment plan.
Patients must be over the age of 18 to be considered for Apheresis. Due to vascular access being a vital requirement of an apheresis session, our consultants will assess during your initial consultation as to whether apheresis is a viable treatment option. If attempting to gain vascular access is deemed unsafe, prospective patients may be advised to seek alternative treatments.

Contact us today to find out more

If you would like to learn more about apheresis, and understand if its a treatment you might benefit from, get in touch with us today to find out more.

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