Blood Transfusion Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Blood Transfusion, including details on blood donation, blood types, leukemia.

Chronic red blood cell exchange to prevent clinical complications in sickle cell disease.

Cabibbo S, Fidone C, Garozzo G, Antolino A, Manenti GO, Bennardello F, Licitra V, Calabrese S, Costantino F, Travali S, Distefano R, Bonomo P

Centro diagnosi e Cura della Talassemia, Azienda Ospedaliera, Civile-M.P. Arezzo P.zza Igea 1 97100 Ragusa, Italy. scabibbo@ospedaleragusa.it

We tracked the results of 394 manual or automatic red blood cell exchanges done with a cell separator in 20 sickle cell patients at high risk for recurrent complications. Over an average of 6 years, none of the patients developed complications related to the procedure or to the increased blood use. It was safe and effective in preventing complications of sickle cell disease, and if done automatically, reduced iron overload. Ferritin levels also decreased in patients treated with automatic red blood cell exchange. Furthermore, using Single Donor Red Blood Cell units (SDRC) we reduced the potential exposure to transfusion transmitted infectious diseases (TTI).

Published 9 June 2005 in Transfus Apher Sci, 32(3): 315-21.
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