Udupi: A team of doctors from department of Immunohematology and blood transfusion, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal performed and standardized the cascade filtration technique using apheresis. This new method is being done for the first time in coastal Karnataka and has several advantages over the regular plasma exchange.

Dr Shamee Shastry, Professor and Head of the department of Immunohematology and blood transfusion said, "Plasma of a patient is initially separated using apheresis method and it is made to pass through a hollow fiber filter which is placed in cascade. This filter selectively removes the high molecular weight substances present in the plasma such as Immunoglobulins, LDL cholesterol etc. This procedure has several advantages over routine plasma exchange. And it reduces the requirement of substitution fluid such as albumin and plasma."

Dr Ravindra Prabhu, professor and unit head, department of Nephrology said, "Cascade filtration has wide range of applications, like in patients undergoing ABO incompatible renal transplantation, with familial hypercholesterolemia, Age Related Macular degeneration, anti GBM glomerular nephritis and in other similar conditions," Dr Ravindra Prabhu added.

Dr Pragna Rao, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and C G Muthana, chief operating officer appreciated the blood bank and the Nephrology team for the new initiative. Dr Avinash Shetty Medical Superintendent said, "This service will be offered now to the needy patients in the Kasturba hospital Manipal. Technologically advanced equipment and highly trained medical team at blood bank has made it possible," Dr Avinash Shetty added.