madman
Super Moderator
* Erythrocytapheresis is a procedure during which blood is passed through a blood cell separator that separates red blood cells (RBCs) from other components. The RBCs are replaced by a crystalloid or colloid solution when necessary [1]. The procedure is principally used to treat erythrocytosis and hereditary hemochromatosis. Erythrocytosis includes both polycythemia vera (PV) and secondary erythrocytosis.
* Erythrocytapheresis affords many advantages compared to phlebotomy. The procedure is tailored to the individual patient and can be customized by patient height, weight, the initial hematocrit (Hct), and the Hct to be achieved. Erythrocytapheresis is an isovolemic procedure, rendering it safe even for patients who are hemodynamically unstable or who poorly tolerate the removal of a large amount of blood. It is possible to quickly and efficiently attain the target Hct. The interprocedural interval is extended and the number of hospital visits reduced.
Fig. 2. Both machines were used to apply the Erythrocytapheresis treatment. (A). Spectra Optia. (B). COM.TEC.
ABSTRACT
Background
This study aimed to clarify the clinical utility of erythrocytapheresis as a treatment for erythrocytosis, including polycythemia vera and secondary erythrocytosis.
Material and methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 83 patients (84.34 % male, mean age 49.66 years (16.23 years)) who underwent a total of 104 erythrocytapheresis sessions between September 2021 and April 2025. The key parameters measured included the depleted red blood cell (RBC) volume, the hemoglobin(HB) and hematocrit (Het) reductions, and adverse reactions.
Results
Erythrocytapheresis significantly reduced the post-treatment RBC counts (25.22 %), the HB (25.19 %) level and the Het (23.62 %), the white blood cell counts, (23.37 %) and the platelet counts (8.38 %) (allp < 0.05). The median depleted RBC volume was 1405.5 mL (range 1011.75-1677.5 mL). The median post-treatment target Het was 40 % (range 40-45 %). The mean post-treatment Het was in fact 47.57 % (6.54 %), which was higher than the target, and the mean Het error ratio was 14.23 % (12.95 %). When the replacement solution was physiological saline, an adverse reaction (hypotension) occurred during 4.81 % of the 104 erythrocytapheresis sessions, but only in patients with a depleted RBC volume/weight (D/W) > 25 mL/kg. No significant differences were observed between the Spectra Optia and COM.TEC blood cell separators.
Discussion
Erythrocytapheresis effectively reduces the RBC mass in patients with erythrocytosis. In rough terms ,the post-treatment target Het = the post-treatment Hct x 0.88, our research team has officially designated this formula as the "Southwest Formula’. In the future, we will continue to expand the sample size to enhance the precision of this formula and better guide the clinical application of erythrocytapheresis.
Introduction
Erythrocytapheresis is a procedure during which blood is passed through a blood cell separator that separates red blood cells (RBCs) from other components. The RBCs are replaced by a crystalloid or colloid solution when necessary [1]. The procedure is principally used to treat erythrocytosis and hereditary hemochromatosis. Erythrocytosis includes both polycythemia vera (PV) and secondary erythrocytosis. In the past, erythrocytosis was usually treated via phlebotomy. In 2021, our department began to use a blood cell separator. Phlebotomy stopped completely. Erythrocytapheresis affords many advantages compared to phlebotomy. The procedure is tailored to the individual patient and can be customized by patient height, weight, the initial hematocrit (Hct), and the Hct to be achieved. Erythrocytapheresis is an isovolemic procedure, rendering it safe even for patients who are hemodynamically unstable or who poorly tolerate the removal of a large amount of blood. It is possible to quickly and efficiently attain the target Hct. The interprocedural interval is extended and the number of hospital visits reduced.
* Erythrocytapheresis affords many advantages compared to phlebotomy. The procedure is tailored to the individual patient and can be customized by patient height, weight, the initial hematocrit (Hct), and the Hct to be achieved. Erythrocytapheresis is an isovolemic procedure, rendering it safe even for patients who are hemodynamically unstable or who poorly tolerate the removal of a large amount of blood. It is possible to quickly and efficiently attain the target Hct. The interprocedural interval is extended and the number of hospital visits reduced.
Fig. 2. Both machines were used to apply the Erythrocytapheresis treatment. (A). Spectra Optia. (B). COM.TEC.
ABSTRACT
Background
This study aimed to clarify the clinical utility of erythrocytapheresis as a treatment for erythrocytosis, including polycythemia vera and secondary erythrocytosis.
Material and methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 83 patients (84.34 % male, mean age 49.66 years (16.23 years)) who underwent a total of 104 erythrocytapheresis sessions between September 2021 and April 2025. The key parameters measured included the depleted red blood cell (RBC) volume, the hemoglobin(HB) and hematocrit (Het) reductions, and adverse reactions.
Results
Erythrocytapheresis significantly reduced the post-treatment RBC counts (25.22 %), the HB (25.19 %) level and the Het (23.62 %), the white blood cell counts, (23.37 %) and the platelet counts (8.38 %) (allp < 0.05). The median depleted RBC volume was 1405.5 mL (range 1011.75-1677.5 mL). The median post-treatment target Het was 40 % (range 40-45 %). The mean post-treatment Het was in fact 47.57 % (6.54 %), which was higher than the target, and the mean Het error ratio was 14.23 % (12.95 %). When the replacement solution was physiological saline, an adverse reaction (hypotension) occurred during 4.81 % of the 104 erythrocytapheresis sessions, but only in patients with a depleted RBC volume/weight (D/W) > 25 mL/kg. No significant differences were observed between the Spectra Optia and COM.TEC blood cell separators.
Discussion
Erythrocytapheresis effectively reduces the RBC mass in patients with erythrocytosis. In rough terms ,the post-treatment target Het = the post-treatment Hct x 0.88, our research team has officially designated this formula as the "Southwest Formula’. In the future, we will continue to expand the sample size to enhance the precision of this formula and better guide the clinical application of erythrocytapheresis.
Introduction
Erythrocytapheresis is a procedure during which blood is passed through a blood cell separator that separates red blood cells (RBCs) from other components. The RBCs are replaced by a crystalloid or colloid solution when necessary [1]. The procedure is principally used to treat erythrocytosis and hereditary hemochromatosis. Erythrocytosis includes both polycythemia vera (PV) and secondary erythrocytosis. In the past, erythrocytosis was usually treated via phlebotomy. In 2021, our department began to use a blood cell separator. Phlebotomy stopped completely. Erythrocytapheresis affords many advantages compared to phlebotomy. The procedure is tailored to the individual patient and can be customized by patient height, weight, the initial hematocrit (Hct), and the Hct to be achieved. Erythrocytapheresis is an isovolemic procedure, rendering it safe even for patients who are hemodynamically unstable or who poorly tolerate the removal of a large amount of blood. It is possible to quickly and efficiently attain the target Hct. The interprocedural interval is extended and the number of hospital visits reduced.
