Mangaluru: Yenepoya Medical College Hospital (YMCH), Deralakatte, has achieved a significant medical milestone by successfully performing its first centrifuge-based Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (cTPE) for a patient diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), a rare neurological disorder.
The procedure marks a major advancement in specialised neurological care in the region, offering timely and life-changing treatment options locally.
Critical case with risk of blindness
The patient, a 19-year-old female diagnosed with AQP4-positive NMO, presented with sudden and complete vision loss in her left eye, which was her only functional eye. Despite receiving intravenous pulse steroid therapy, her condition showed no improvement, placing her at high risk of permanent blindness.
Given the urgency of the situation, the medical team decided to initiate an advanced treatment approach using centrifuge-based Therapeutic Plasma Exchange.
Advanced cTPE procedure
The cTPE procedure involves rapidly separating and removing plasma components from the blood, effectively eliminating harmful antibodies such as anti-AQP4 responsible for the disease.
Compared to conventional therapies like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), cTPE offers superior plasma removal efficiency, faster processing time, and a lower rate of side effects. Early initiation of this procedure is known to significantly improve recovery outcomes in such cases.
Multidisciplinary team effort
The successful procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Salma Suhana and Dr. Vignesh from the Department of Neurology, Dr. Poorna from Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Aejaz from Anaesthesia, and Dr. Vidya Hegde from Ophthalmology.
The procedure was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Vidya Rekha R. Kamath, Chief of the YMCH Blood Centre. After five cycles of cTPE, the patient showed marked improvement, with significant recovery in vision.
Boost to advanced healthcare services
The successful implementation of cTPE highlights the growing capabilities of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital in managing complex neuro-inflammatory disorders.
Medical experts noted that performing cTPE requires high technical precision and continuous clinical monitoring, underscoring the importance of skilled teams and advanced infrastructure.
Bringing specialised care closer to patients
By offering this advanced procedure locally, YMCH has reduced the need for patients to travel to distant metropolitan centres during critical neurological emergencies.
The achievement not only improves access to specialised care but also strengthens the region’s healthcare ecosystem.
A milestone in neurological treatment
This breakthrough reinforces YMCH’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge medical care and adopting advanced treatment modalities for complex conditions.
The success of the cTPE procedure sets a new benchmark in neurological care in coastal Karnataka, offering hope to patients suffering from rare and severe disorders like NMO.