CPT® Code 36512

Therapeutic apheresis is a medical procedure that utilizes a specialized blood processing machine to separate blood into its various components, which include white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. This separation is achieved based on the weight of the different blood components. The primary purpose of therapeutic apheresis is to remove a specific component of the blood that is contributing to a disease state, thereby alleviating the patient's condition. Prior to the procedure, a physician conducts a thorough evaluation of the patient to determine the necessity for therapeutic apheresis. The procedure typically involves the use of a previously placed central venous catheter, or alternatively, venous catheters may be inserted to facilitate the connection of blood tubing to the apheresis machine. The physician is responsible for determining the specific parameters for the apheresis process and programming the machine accordingly. Once initiated, blood is drawn from the patient and enters the apheresis machine through one of the venous catheters. The machine then separates the blood into its components, removes the targeted component that is causing the disease, and returns the remaining blood components back to the patient's body through a second catheter. Throughout the procedure, the physician closely monitors the patient, which may include cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry to ensure patient safety. After the procedure is completed, the patient is disconnected from the machine and undergoes a re-evaluation to assess their condition.