Nephrologist Christos Iatrou has come forward with a shocking revelation about a patient from Cyprus who required hospitalization after visiting his Kolonaki clinic for plasmapheresis. Speaking to ERTnews, Dr. Iatrou explained exactly what the plasmapheresis procedure involves, in which cases it is used, and why its use for anti-aging and longevity purposes lacks, as he emphasizes, sufficient scientific evidence. The nephrologist also revealed that he had learned about the clinic in question a year earlier, following an incident involving a patient who was hospitalized at Hygeia Hospital.
Christos Iatrou: What is plasmapheresis?
According to Dr. Iatrou, plasmapheresis is a long-established procedure that dates back to 1913 and became widely known from the 1970s onward. It is primarily used to separate donor blood so that plasma, red blood cells, and platelets can be transfused to patients according to their individual needs. There is also therapeutic plasmapheresis, in which “we take the plasma from the patient and pass it through a machine or a centrifuge,” replacing the removed plasma with either donor plasma or another fluid.
What happened at the Kolonaki clinic
Dr. Christos Iatrou also stated that he first learned about the specific clinic approximately one year ago, following an incident involving a patient who was admitted to Hygeia Hospital. As he explained, the director of the Internal Medicine Department contacted him to examine a patient who had undergone plasmapheresis.
According to Dr. Iatrou, the patient was a 35-year-old woman from Cyprus who had undergone multiple plasmapheresis sessions and, as her father reported, had paid “tens of thousands of euros” for the treatments. He noted that the Medical Association was informed of the incident and conducted an inspection, but found no equipment on the clinic’s premises.
“Plasmapheresis as an anti-aging and longevity method is not scientifically supported”
Addressing the use of plasmapheresis for anti-aging and longevity purposes, Dr. Iatrou stressed that such use “is not documented by studies showing that plasmapheresis is beneficial in this area.” As he explained, therapeutic plasmapheresis requires that the patient be ill, and there are specific guidelines issued by the American Society for Apheresis that define the cases in which it may be beneficial.
“Plasmapheresis is performed in hospitals”
“Therefore, when someone undergoes plasmapheresis, it is clearly defined” in which cases it is indicated, he noted, adding that what makes this case particularly concerning is that the procedure was reportedly being carried out in a standard medical office.
Dr. Iatrou emphasized that in Greece, plasmapheresis is performed in hospitals — not necessarily large ones, but facilities that have the appropriate equipment and an organized medical team. It may also be carried out in the private sector, within large medical centers.
Dr. Iatrou argued that a clear regulatory framework must be established for practices of this kind. “Of course there must be rules — that goes without saying. In fact, rules need to be put in place right now,” he said, while also acknowledging that there will always be those who attempt to circumvent the regulations.
He added that he learned the machine had not been registered with the Medical Association, and noted that there is a representative of the Swiss manufacturer based in Thessaloniki, Greece. In closing, the nephrologist stressed that having an approved machine is not enough on its own. The machine must be located in a suitable facility, operated by a properly trained technician, and — above all — under the necessary medical supervision.
