H.E.L.P. Apheresis treatment for Long Covid, Post Vac Syndrome and Chronic Illnesses

Selected scientific sources and studies for H.E.L.P. Apheresis used in Long Covid/Post Vac and microcirculation/blood flow disorders in Long Covid as well as H.E.L.P. Apheresis resolving microcirculation and blood flow disorders:

• ISFA 2023 (International Society for Apheresis World Conference)
• Gavin Infectious Diseases Diagnosis & Treatment 
• Researchgate
• Springer
• Frontiers
• ScienceDirect
• Therapheutic Apheresis and Dialysis
• Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
• Springer Nature 
• The American Journal of Medicine
• PubMedCentral
• Science

A collection of sources which have published success rates can be found at the Long Covid Apheresis Community (LCA Community): https://lcacommunity.org/research

The results published by the LCA Community have been confirmed at the ISFA2023:

ISFA 2023 (International Society for Apheresis World Conference)

You will find extensive information on our blog post about different types of Apheresis and which type is suitable for which purpose HERE

Apheresis means 'separation/extraction': A separation of the big blood parts (white and red blood cells and blood platelets) from the rest of the blood (plasma) and extraction of pathogens.

But that is where the similarities of HE.L.P. Apheresis with ANY OTHER type of apheresis end.

H.E.L.P. Apheresis is in fact a 'live laboratory process' in a machine circuit. 

Unlike any other form of apheresis it uses 400.000 units of heparin (heparan sulfate to be exact) in the extracorporeal machine circuit and it turns the blood plasma temporarily acidic to ensure the highest technically possible levels of selective pathogen adsorption in that environment. For one H.E.L.P. apheresis session 30 kilogram of one-use parts are used.

H.E.L.P. Apheresis is the ONLY type of apheresis specifically designed to resolve coagulation issues and interfere into the coagulation cascade. It increases microcirculation (blood flow in the small capillaries/blood vessels) by 20% whilst reducing the viscosity of the blood by 10% per session.

It is a highly selective (by means of adsorption - heparin precipitation) form of apheresis and has higher adsorption rates than any other form of apheresis. It does NOT use filtration (which is non-selective) but it uses adsorption/precipitation - this means it only takes out the pathogens (viruses/viral spike, bacteria, fungus, inflammation proteins, cholesterol+autoantibodies and hundreds of pathogens more) but leaves all other substances in the blood - hormones, messengers etc.

H.E.L.P. Apheresis has been successfully applied for:

- Long Covid

- Post Vac Syndrome / Vaccine Injury

- ME/CFS

- Lyme

- Fibromyalgia

- Multiple Sclerosis

- Lupus

- Other illnesses where microcirculation issues/blood flow issues, viral or bacterial persistence, inflammation proteins, cholesterol+autoantibodies or toxins/pathogens are present

If a patient meets the requirements (these are clarified by a questionnaire), there is a detailed patient interview and assessment. The aim is to identify the severity of the symptoms and to clarify whether the prerequisites for using H.E.L.P. Apheresis in the sense of the intended use of the Plasmat Futura device are fulfilled.

The costs of EUR 1685 per treatment are currently borne by the patient. Of course, the patient can apply individually to his or her health insurance company to have the costs covered.

H.E.L.P. apheresis is recognised in the EU and Switzerland for the indication of microcirculation and blood flow disorders and several other indications. The Plasmat Futura machines used for H.E.L.P. are EMA licensed and CE certified. Clinical studies for H.E.L.P. Apheresis in Long Covid have been published:

Pub Med Central

Gavin Publishers

The symptoms of Long Covid are enormously varied. Any organ system can be affected. Treatments carried out so far suggest that many of these symptoms can be successfully treated by improving microcirculation/blood flow. The amount of treatments needed is individual (we see in average 5-6 H.E.L.P. treatments over the last years per patient). Whilst the content of the precipitation filter and heparin adsorber are not always helpful to identify if further treatments are meaningful, the latest study has shown that venous oxygen measurement is of great help for better treatment direction.

H.E.L.P. apheresis is generally very well tolerated and has few complications. As with any treatment, there are risks and side effects. However, these are very rare and easy to control. For example, there may be haematomas at the injection sites, a short-term so-called vasovagal reaction or temporary fatigue. From the 500.000 treatments undertaken in the last 30 years, over 200.000 have been scientifically documented - this makes H.E.L.P. one of the best researched and safest treatments there is. 

Since 2023 we do offer Triple Anticoagulation Therapy for microcirculation and hyper-coagulation issues, but only under certain circumstances. The Triple Therapy needs constant monitoring of the blood to minimize the risk of (brain and gut) bleeding. A physical presence of the patient at the clinic of 3-4 months is therefore necessary. The often strong side effects from toxins and pathogens being released into the blood of the patient need to be controlled with steroids and antihistamines. We follow the original protocol that was published by Dr. Jaco Laubscher.

The differences between H.E.L.P. Apheresis and Triple Anticoagulation Therapy:

- If your local GP/PCP supports you and takes on the responsibility of constantly monitoring your blood while you are administered a combination of three anticoagulant medications at once (bleeding risk), the costs are lower than H.E.L.P. and you do not need to be present at the clinic for 3-4 months

- Patients often do suffer from constant side-effects of the Triple Therapy from toxins and pathogens being released into the blood. Steroids and antihistamines are a way to reduce them 

- H.E.L.P. Apheresis has a higher safety profile with over 30 years of scientific data behind it

- H.E.L.P. Apheresis does not only remove the microclots from the blood but also does remove inflammation, viral spike protein, cholesterol+autoantibodies and hundreds of pathogens and furthermore it reduces the viscosity of the blood around 10% per treatment and increases the microcirculation by 20% in total.

We do only recommend Triple Anticoagulation Therapy in first 6 months after infection/onset and/or if your local GP/PCP supports and monitors it. 

From our clinical experience H.E.L.P. Apheresis as part of the Combination Therapy is preferable and shows better results. The individually adapted Combination Therapy often does include anticoagulation and fibrinolytic protocols.

In Triple Therapy the body needs to deal with all the toxins and pathogens released from the microclots. Through H.E.L.P. Apheresis all toxins and pathogens are taken out of the blood by the apheresis machine and it furthermore does not only get rid of the microclots but does additionally remove inflammation proteins, viral spike protein, cholesterol+autoantibodies and hundreds of pathogens and reduces the viscosity of the blood around 10% per treatment whilst increasing the microcirculation by 20% in total. This means it has several modes of action instead of just a single mode like triple therapy.

Advantages:

- No stinging with needles required (sometimes with Long Covid damaged veins several tries with the needles despite ultrasound are needed, sometimes there can't be any proper blood flow established, sometimes veins shrink under stress or from a bradykinin shock)

- No constant kneading of therapy/stress ball to maintain blood circulation at needed level needed (ideal if you have fatigue)

- No constant visibility of blood/needles (good if you have anxiety/fear of needles and blood)

- You don't need to keep your arms with needles inside still for hours

- No risk of penetrating the backside of the vein if you accidentally lift your arms

- You can sleep during treatment

- You can go to toilet during treatment

- You don't have to get needles placed for every treatment

- The blood flow volume is higher - 20% more efficiency, higher amount of plasma treated, shorter treatment duration, less burden on the body

- You can eat and watch a movie or even work on the laptop during treatment - your hands are free

- In case of low blood flow the catheter is closer at the bodies center (upper leg) that enables treatment even with lower blood pressure

- works as constant reminder so you will pace much better

Disadvantages:

- Cost of 1000 to 1100 Euros (depending on the size/make of the catheter - this 'pays for itself' after 4-5 treatments as with catheters in average 20-25% more plasma volume can be processed and the constant flow speed technically leads to a higher adsorption rate)

- Can feel inconvenient at times

- Restricted movement (max. a few hundred meters radius a day or less is recommended to avoid irritation of the vein) - but many patients reported in return it helped to pace well

- Medical risks: 4 in 100.000 will suffer from nerve damage/irritation next to the vein when the catheter is placed and the risk of clotting is increased (which can be minimized by the anticoagulants being administered and by not moving too much). In rare cases the exit point can get inflamed and antibiotics need to be administered, waterproof covers and special catheters avoid that very well.

For placement durations over 21 days the anti-pathogenic protect catheters we use avoid issues reliably (below 21 days classic catheters are used and if the duration unexpectedly increases, antibiotic treatment is applied for safety precautions). The protect coating creates a catheter surface with very good anti-pathogenic characteristics. The adhesion of bacteria, which is normally the starting point of a catheter-related bloodstream infection, is effectively prevented in this non-leaching catheters. Examples: brochure for download here and watch the video here (Source of both: B.Braun.com)

You can find explanation videos about H.E.L.P. Apheresis with apheresis needles access and with leg catheter access click here for videos