THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF RED CELL EXCHANGE IN APHERESIS – A REVIEW
Author: PRAKASH H MUDDEGOWDA, JYOTHI B LINGEGOWDA, JOSHUA DANIEL JEYAKUMAR, SHASI VELUSAMY, THAMILSELVI R
Category: Pathology
Abstract:
Apheresis in India is still in infancy and red cell exchange (RCE) is scarcely used. Few centers are at present doing in India. The superior advantage of erythrocytapheresis compared with phlebotomy and long-term positive role in management of patients with hemoglobinopathies needs to be impressed upon to the clinicians. Patients comfort in hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease and thalassemia has improved drastically due to RCE and if used on larger scale, will bring down the cost of the procedure.
Keywords: Apheresis, Erythrocytapheresis, Red cell exchange.