THERAPEUTIC (CLINICAL) APHERESIS SERVICES
United Blood Services provides therapeutic apheresis services at selected blood center locations or, by arrangement, at the hospital for the convenience and safety of the patient.
The theoretical basis for therapeutic apheresis is to reduce the patient’s load of a pathologic substance to levels that will allow clinical improvement. The term “therapeutic apheresis” is used for the general procedure and the term “therapeutic plasma exchange” (TPE) is used for procedures in which the goal is to remove plasma containing the pathologic substance and replace it with normal plasma or a starch- or albumin-based crystalloid or colloid solution.
Types and Indications
Plasmapheresis – Therapeutic plasma exchange is indicated for several hematologic and neurologic conditions. Conditions such as Serum Hyperviscosity Syndrome, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura/Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (TTP/HUS), Myasthenia Gravis and Acute Guillain-Barre Syndrome have been treated with TPE procedures.
Leukapheresis – Therapeutic white cell depletion has been used to treat dramatically elevated white cell counts that can occur in acute leukemia.
Erythrocytapheresis – Therapeutic red cell removal and exchange may be used to treat complications of Sickle Cell Disease.
Plateletpheresis – Platelet depletion can be used for Thrombocythemia in symptomatic patients with platelet counts above 1,000,000/uL.
Staphylococcal Protein A (SPA) Immunoadsorption – SPA immunoadsorption is approved by the FDA for treatment of acute and chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura and adults with rheumatoid arthritis unresponsive to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. In this procedure, plasma from the patient is passed through a column containing protein A, which will bind IgG and other immune complexes. The plasma is then returned to the patient.
Photopheresis – Photopheresis is a therapeutic technique in which a patient's lymphocytes and monocytes (white blood cells) are collected by a blood separation device. These white blood cells are then exposed to ultraviolet A light in combination with the drug 8-methoxysoralen. After exposure these white blood cells are returned to the patient. The treated cells stimulate the immune system to attack the cells causing the disease or condition. Examples of conditions treated are Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma, solid organ rejection, and Graft Versus Host Disease. Email Thomas Wiltbank, MD for additional information.
Exceptional Service
United Blood Services’ mobile therapeutic apheresis program offers the following benefits:
- No need to transfer patients; our staff will bring the service to the hospital
- Highly competent nursing and apheresis technicians
- Access to United Blood Services’ medical staff physicians
- Consistent and current standard operating procedures
- Quality assurance that is documented and routinely audited
- Well-maintained and calibrated equipment
- On-demand service, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
To schedule
The patient’s physician:
- Identifies candidates for a therapeutic procedure
- Orders appropriate procedure and frequency
- Completes applicable section of request form Attending Physicians Request for Therapeutic Apheresis (BS 702).
- Discuss the Therapeutic Apheresis Informed Consent (BS 707A) with the patient and obtain signature.
The physician’s office/hospital:
- Contacts the blood center to schedule the procedure(s)
- Faxes completed Attending Physicians Request for Therapeutic Apheresis (BS 702), and the Therapeutic Apheresis Informed Consent (BS 707A) to the blood center.
United Blood Services:
- Reviews order for completeness
- Contacts medical director as needed
- Performs procedure(s)
- Has medical director review patient chart.
How to Order:
Contact your United Blood Services center to find out more about options for therapeutic apheresis. To find the center nearest you click here.