Therapeutic Apheresis

Hope on the Horizon for Long Covid Sufferers

We understand how life-altering Long Covid, or any other post-infection syndrome can be. For many, the journey to recovery feels uncertain, with lingering symptoms that affect daily life, work, and wellbeing. We are now offering Therapeutic Apheresis to help patients with a variety of disorders and diseases, the most common being Long Covid and other post-infectious syndromes. We now also offer INUSpheresis®.

Fill in the form or call us today to find out more, leearn about the options available, or to book an appointment.

What is Therapeutic Apheresis?

Apheresis (from the Greek aphairesis, meaning “to take away”) is a specialised day case procedure that selectively removes or collects one part of the blood. Blood is taken from one vein, processed by a machine, and immediately returned to a different vein. The clinician can use different filters to define the amount of components taken away

Apheresis can be a helpful option when other treatments aren’t enough or when fast, targeted action is needed. By safely removing the specific part of the blood that’s causing problems, it can quickly reduce symptoms, make other therapies safer or more effective, and in some cases provide access to treatments like stem cell transplant. For many people, it offers a way to improve health and quality of life without exposing the whole body to stronger medicines.

INUSpheresis®

A New Option in Our Therapeutic Apheresis Service

We are pleased to now offer INUSpheresis®, an advanced blood filtration treatment. It works by gently removing harmful substances such as toxins, inflammatory proteins, and antibodies that may be contributing to illness, while keeping all the important parts of your blood intact.

Research has shown encouraging results. In studies, patients experienced:

  • More energy: many reported reduced fatigue and better day-to-day stamina. [1,3,4]
  • Clearer thinking: improvements in concentration and “brain fog.” [1,3,4]
  • Less pain and discomfort: some reported a noticeable reduction in chronic symptoms. [1,2,3]
  • Better overall wellbeing: around 7 in 10 patients in early studies said they felt improvements after treatment [1,2,3,4].
  • Positive changes in the blood: markers linked to inflammation and stress, such as CRP and oxidative stress molecules, were reduced by up to 60–90%. [1,3,4,5,6]

While research is ongoing, these findings suggest that INUSpheresis® can help reduce inflammation and support recovery for people living with autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation, and other long-term health issues.
(Data sources below)

Apheresis - At a Glance

At Re:Cognition Health we offer double filtration plasmapheresis.

 

  • What is it? A treatment using a two-step filtration process that uses two different filters to selectively remove pathogenic large molecules, like autoantibodies and immune complexes, from a patient's plasma.
  • Why it’s used: To reduce circulating factors that may drive inflammation, autoimmunity, or post-infectious symptoms. Other apheresis techniques can also be used to reduce high blood cell counts or collect specific cells for therapy.
  • How it works: Your blood flows through a sterile tube into a machine that separates the part we’re targeting, then returns the rest.
  • Time: Usually 1.5 - 3 hours. You’re awake, sitting or reclining and can read or watch something on a tablet.

When might it be used?

Apheresis is a safe and reliable treatment. In most cases it works very well, with successful results for the vast majority of patients, and serious complications are extremely rare.

We offer Apheresis to help patients with a variety of disorders and diseases, the most common being Long Covid and other post-infectious syndromes.

Your doctor will explain if Apheresis is needed just once, as a short course, or as part of longer-term treatment.

What to expect on the day

  • Arrival & checks: Meet the team, confirm consent and observations.
  • Venous access: Usually two cannulas in the arms; occasionally a central line is needed.
  • During treatment: Blood flows through the machine. An anticoagulant prevents clotting.
  • Comfort & safety: You’re monitored throughout; blankets and drinks available.
  • Afterwards: Cannulas out, small dressings on, short observation, then you can go home.
  • Typical time in clinic: 2–5 hours (including preparation and aftercare).

Available Now at Re:Cognition Health

Book a consultation today to explore whether Therapeutic Apheresis could help you. Our specialist team will guide you through every step.
Call us now on 020 3355 3536

SOURCES
[1] Achleitner et al. (2023) Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis. Mol Psychiatry 28, 2872–2877 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02084-1

[2] Abe et al. (2025) Efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis on skin and joint manifestations of palmoplantar pustulosis with pustulotic arthro-osteitis: A multicentric, prospective, observational study. J Dermatol. 2025 Apr;52(4):642-650. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.17667. Epub 2025 Feb 12. PMID: 39936375; PMCID: PMC11975200. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11975200/

[3] Achleitner et al. (2023) Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis. Mol Psychiatry. 2023 Jul;28(7):2872-2877. doi: 10.1038/s41380-023-02084-1. Epub 2023 May 2. PMID: 37131073; PMCID: PMC10152027. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-02084-1

[4] Cort Johnson, (March 8, 2025) The Plasmapheresis Possibility for ME/CFS and Long COVID: Pt. I TPE and INUSpheresis https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2025/03/08/plasma-apheresis-chronic-fatigue-long-covid/

[5] Neumann et al. (2013)
Lipoprotein apheresis – More than just cholesterol reduction? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567568812000281

[6] Yin, et al. (2023) Precision Medicine Approach for Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Therapeutic http://www.researchgate.net/publication/359927246_Precision_Medicine_Approach_for_Cardiometabolic_Risk_Factors_in_Therapeutic_Apheresis