Journal of Clinical Apheresis最新文献

Understanding the apheresis principles for harvesting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is critical for performing efficient procedures. However, despite significant advances in estimating the collection efficiency (CE) of aphereses, many confounding factors still need to be addressed in the classical calculations. The CE values are unrestricted, and many procedures exhibit CEs of a given cell population greater than 100%. This report introduces a simple equation that estimates the “crude” CE, which ranges from 0% to 100% and intrinsically considers the contribution of donor-related variables such as the pre-procedure mobilization and intra-apheresis recruitment of CD34⁺ cells (as a convenient marker for HSCs), as well as the performance of the apheresis system itself.

We present three cases of severely elevated plasma free hemoglobin (PFH) in pediatric patients on mechanical circulatory support devices at a tertiary pediatric care center. Due to severe levels of PFH in the setting of critical illness with the inability to pursue immediate mechanical device exchange, membrane filtration therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was performed, which resulted in a lowering of PFH levels. However, long-term outcomes were heterogeneous across the cases. This case series reviews patient presentation, organ function before and after TPE, and the overall role of TPE as an effective treatment option to decrease severely elevated PFH levels. In doing so, we hope to add to what is known about the use of TPE for mechanical red cell hemolysis and provide guidance on its use in critically ill patients.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an effective treatment for several renal disorders, including renal transplant rejection. However, repeated plasma exchanges can result in various metabolic disturbances and complications. We present a 61-year old male with a medical history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, successfully treated multiple myeloma, and a post-mortem kidney transplantation 7 months prior to presentation. The patient was hospitalized with an antibody-mediated transplant rejection for which treatment with methylprednisolone, TPE with a 40 g/L albumin solution as a replacement fluid, and intravenous immunoglobulins was initiated. After four TPE treatments, the patient developed gastrointestinal complaints and muscle weakness. Despite daily oral bicarbonate supplementation, laboratory tests revealed a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis: bicarbonate 11.7 mmol/L, chloride 111 mmol/L, and sodium 138 mmol/L. Metabolic acidosis due to citrate accumulation was ruled out with a normal total-to-ionized calcium ratio. After treatment with intravenous bicarbonate supplementation, the symptoms disappeared. Analysis of the albumin solution showed a chloride concentration of 132 mmol/L. This is the first case that describes severe metabolic acidosis after multiple sessions of TPE with an albumin solution in a patient with impaired renal function. The hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis is the result of administration of large volumes of an albumin solution with high chloride concentrations. Special attention should be paid to the acid–base balance during TPE in patients with impaired renal function. Future research should investigate the incidence of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis during TPE in patients with impaired renal function.

Adsorptive cytapheresis proves effective in a proportion of patients affected by ulcerative colitis. Relatively high cost and the need for apheresis facilities, prevented the widespread use of this therapeutic approach. More so following the introduction of anti-TNFα biosimilars which proved both effective and inexpensive. Anti-TNFα agents, however, are burdened by high rate of primary and secondary non-response and prompt switching to new, high-cost biologics, and small molecules. The present review analyzes advantages and disadvantages of adsorptive cytapheresis in the present clinical scenario and suggests its repositioning in the therapeutic workup of selected subgroups of ulcerative colitis patients. The extremely favorable safety profile makes adsorptive cytapheresis a viable therapeutic option in elderly and high-risk UC patients, as well as potential second-line treatment in corticosteroid-dependent patients and poor responders to first-line biologics.

Hematopoetic Stem Cell Transplantation is a life saving procedure which requires mobilization of stem cells for apheresis procedure. In this review we aimed to examine mobilizing agents that are in use and under investigation. Apheresis practitioners who oversee stem cell collections should be familiar with the recent advances in mobilization agents to utilize most up-to-date information for better patient outcomes.