Use of erythrocytapheresis in the treatment of patients with sickle cell anemia

✍ Scribed by Dr. Steven H. Kleinman; Carole G. Hurvitz; Dennis Goldfinger

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1984
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 651 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0733-2459
• DOI: 10.1002/jca.2920020205

✦ Synopsis

We perfornied exchange transfusions. utilizing the technique of automated crythrocytaphcresk. for the treatment of patients with sickle cell anemia. In an attempt to determine guideline5 for the use of erythrocytapheresis, we studied the use of this procedure i n three distinct clinical situations in nine patients with sickle cell disease. Patients with dangerous complications of sickle cell disease such as acute rebpiratory distress and priapism responded well t o erythrocytaphercsis. showing niarked improvenient within 24-48 hours. Patients with prolonged painful w h oocclubive crises showed onl) variable improvement after erythrocytapheresis therapy, insufficient to justify exposing the patient t o the risks of the procedure. Paticnts treated to decrease the frequency o f painfiil crises denionstrated n o prolongation i n syiiiptoni-frec intervals hetueen cri . The re fore. ery t h rocy ta phci-esis has i ts main value in the nianagement of acute, dangerous complications o f sichlc cell disease.