Operating Manual
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Software 2.6
B|BRAUN
Chapter 2
Page 2 of 15
SHARING EXPERTISE
2.6_CA-EN_03
2.1 PRINCIPLE
H.E.L.P. Plasmat® Futura is a plasma therapy unit that, together with the H.E.L.P. apheresis treatment
unit, performs H.E.L.P. apheresis therapy. H.E.L.P stands for Heparin-induced Extracorporeal LDL
Precipitation.
The first step of the procedure is plasma separation. The cellular blood components are directly
reinfused to the patient along with the treated plasma. The plasma is mixed with a heparinized acetate
buffer at a ratio of 1:1. LDL, fibrinogen and Lp(a), together with the heparin, form a precipitate in the
acid pH range that is filtered out in the subsequent step. Excessive heparin is removed from the treated
plasma using a heparin adsorber. In the last step, the plasma is adjusted to its initial volume and initial
physiological pH value using bicarbonate dialysis and then reinfused into the patient along with the
cellular blood components.