Erythrocytapheresis as a strategy to manage anemia and iron overload in nondeletional hemoglobin H disease

Abstract

Hemoglobin H (HbH) disease is associated with anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron overload. We report a case of a patient with HbH/Hb Constant Spring disease, who was maintained on chronic transfusions as an adult due to symptomatic anemia. Over time, he developed iron overload and was started on chelation therapy but did not have an adequate response to chelation. We then added erythrocytapheresis to chelation therapy and were able to successfully decrease his iron burden while managing his anemia. Therapeutic erythrocytapheresis may be an effective treatment strategy for iron overload in HbH disease that is refractory to chelation.