Here to help you understand infusion therapy.

Patients who are referred to VISTA outpatient services will be fully informed as to what they can expect prior to arrival. Generally, some of the questions you may have include:
 
What is infusion therapy and what can I expect?
  • Infusion therapy refers to all aspects of fluid and medication administration via intravenous (by vein) or subcutaneous (just under the skin surface) methods. 
  • “Ambulatory infusion” gives you the ability to move about the clinic without being confined to a recliner or a bed during your treatment. 
  • Infusion therapy delivers medications directly into your bloodstream to address the symptoms of your particular diagnosis.
  • After insertion of the small needle, infusion therapy is relatively painless and typically has no side effects from the process itself. Your physician can discuss what to expect from the particular medication you may receive and our experienced staff is available to oversee your infusion and answer questions during your visit. At VISTA, we provide for the administration of many different types of drug therapies including IVIG, Remicade® Zenergy, and other Biopharmaceuticals.

What is IVIG?
  • IVIG (intravenous immune globulin) is an antibody protein derived from human plasma that is collected from healthy blood donors. These complex antibodies in our immune system prevent us from getting sick by responding to and killing bacteria, viruses and other infectious agents.
  • Immunoglobulin g (IgG) is the most common antibody and is used to strengthen the body's immune system to lower the risk of infection in persons with a weakened immune system.
  • IVIG is a safe and long-used protocol for many disorders and its application in the treatment of many diseases continues to expand. 
 
How does IVIG work to treat diseases?
  • Very basically, IVIG gives you antibodies that your body can't make on its own so you can fight infections or your immune system can fend off inflammation from various actions depending on the disorder you have.
  • The exact mechanism of action of IVIG in neuro-immunology is unknown. Studies investigating the effects of IVIG suggest that different mechanisms of action take place for different conditions. 
  • Overall, IVIG has been shown to be as or more effective in comparison with standard treatments and with fewer side effects.
When is infusion therapy appropriate?
At VISTA, we provide services for a wide range of neurological and autoimmune or inflammatory diagnoses including, but not limited to:
  • Peripheral nerve disorders
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)
Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Neuromuscular junction disorders 
Myasthenia gravis
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
  • Inflammatory myopathies
Polymyositis
Dermatomyositis
  • Central nervous system disorders
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Autoimmune conditions
Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and many others.