Erythrocytapheresis in a Patient of Sickle Cell Disease Presenting in Crisis

Raghuwanshi B1

Mymensingh Med J 2023 Oct; 32 (4): 1214-1216

PMID: 37777924

Abstract

As per American Society of Apheresis (ASFA) guidelines, the indication for Erythrocytapheresis for sickle cell patients is category III for preoperative management and vaso-occlusive crisis. Erythrocytapheresis, with the help of automated cell separators, has the benefit of reducing the Sickle hemoglobin (HbS) levels to <30.0% with a reduced risk of increasing blood viscosity and single procedure achieving target hemoglobin levels. A 17-year old female patient who was a known case of sickle cell disease presented to our institution with a vascular necrosis of the right femoral head. Due to the pain and limitations of her day-to-day activities, she was advised for total hip arthroplasty. This patient underwent a successful Erythrocytapheresis using an automated cell separator and was operated on. In a sickle cell patient planned for surgical intervention, the procedure of Erythrocytapheresis can help in decreasing the chances of the patient developing any vaso-occlusive crisis during surgery and in the immediate post-operative period. This technique can help in improving the chances of a successful surgical procedure for such patients.

 

Keywords: Erythrocytapheresis, Vasoocclusive crisis, Target hematocrit, Sickle cell disease


  1. Additional Professor

    Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank, AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India


Volume 32, Number 4 (2023)
Page: 1214-1216