Therapeutic Leukapheresis for the Management of Hyperleukocytosis: Ten-year Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperleukocytosis is a medical emergency that is characterized by increased blood viscosity and predisposition to various neurological, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal complications. In addition, patients are at risk of the tumor lysis syndrome because of the increased tumor burden. Therapeutic leukapheresis is an important treatment for these emergent states. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed therapeutic leukapheresis procedures that were performed in our institution during the last 10 yr. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed therapeutic leukapheresis procedures conducted from July 2005 to March 2015 at a tertiary care hospital. We present our observations, especially the procedural characteristics and hematological parameters before and after the aforementioned procedures. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients underwent a total of 146 therapeutic leukapheresis procedures. The average presenting white blood cell (WBC) count was 268×10(3)/µL, and ranged from 54×10(3)/µL to 673×10(3)/µL. After an average of two sessions, a statistically significant drop in the WBC counts was observed. The average WBC removal rates during the initial and entire therapeutic leukapheresis procedures of each patient were 33% and 46%, respectively. The platelet count and hemoglobin concentration were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic leukapheresis significantly reduces peripheral WBC counts and is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of hyperleukocytosis.