Número de células CD34+ circulantes como predictor de recolección exitosa de progenitores hematopoyéticos por aféresis en trasplante autólogo / Number of circulating CD34+ cells as a predictor of successful collection of hematopoietic progenitors by apheresis in autologous transplantation

RESUMEN Introducción. El trasplante autólogo de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas es una terapia eficaz en neoplasias malignas hematológicas. El número de células que CD34+ en sangre periférica es el mejor predictor del rendimiento de recolección de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas. Objetivo. Determinar el número de células CD34+ en sangre periférica asociado al éxito de recolección de progenitores hematopoyéticos por aféresis en trasplante autólogo. Métodos. Se evaluó retrospectivamente los datos de 236 procedimientos de aféresis de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas para el trasplante autólogo en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins (Lima, Perú) de julio del 2020 a julio del 2023. Se utilizó la curva ROC (características operativas del receptor) para determinar el número de células CD34+ en sangre periférica necesario para lograr una recolección por aféresis ≥ 2 x 106 células CD34+/kg. Resultados. El 61% fueron hombres, con mediana de edad de 58 años, el valor de corte fue de 18,38 células CD34+/μL (sensibilidad de 94,1% y especificidad de 96,9%). Conclusión. El número de células CD34+ sangre periférica para una recolección exitosa de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas para el trasplante autólogo fue de 18,38 células CD34+/μL.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation is an effective therapy in hematological malignancies, the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood is the best predictor of hematopoietic progenitor cell harvesting performance. Objective. To determine the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood associated with the successful collection of hematopoietic progenitors by apheresis in autologous transplantation. Methods. The data of 236 hematopoietic progenitor cell apheresis procedures for autologous transplantation at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins Hospital (Lima, Peru) were retrospectively evaluated from July 2020 to July 2023. The ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curve was used to determine the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood necessary to achieve an collection by apheresis ≥ 2 x 106 CD34+ cells/kg. Results. 61% were men, with a median age of 58 years, the cut-off value was 18.38 CD34+ cells/μL (sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 96.9%). Conclusion. The number of peripheral blood CD34+cells for successful collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells for autologous transplantation was 18.38 CD34+ cells/μL.

Prevalence of extracorporeal blood purification techniques in critically ill patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal blood-purification techniques are frequently needed in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), yet data on their clinical application are lacking. This study aims to review the indications, rate of application, clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes of patients undergoing extracorporeal blood purification (i.e., by continuous renal replacement therapy [CRRT] or therapeutic plasma exchange [TPE]) in our PICU, including before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019 and during the pandemic from 2020 to 2022. METHODS: This study included children admitted for extracorporeal blood-purification therapy in the PICU. The indications for TPE were analyzed and compared to the American Society for Apheresis categories. RESULTS: In 82 children, 380 TPE sessions and 37 CRRT sessions were carried out children, with 65 patients (79%) receiving TPE, 17 (20.7%) receiving CRRT, and four (4.8%) receiving both therapies. The most common indications for TPE were neurological diseases (39/82, 47.5%), followed by hematological diseases (18/82, 21.9%). CRRT was mainly performed for patients suffering from acute kidney injury. Patients with neurological diseases received the greatest number of TPE sessions (295, 77.6%). Also, the year 2022 contained the greatest number of patients receiving extracorporeal blood-purification therapy (either CRRT or TPE). CONCLUSIONS: The use of extracorporeal blood-purification techniques increased from 2019 through 2022 due to mainly autoimmune dysregulation among affected patients. TPE can be safely used in an experienced PICU. No serious adverse events were observed in the patients that received TPE, and overall survival over the 4 years was 86.5%.

Predicting donor-related factors for high platelet yield donations by classification and regression tree analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Collecting high-dose (HD) or double-dose (DD) apheresis platelets units from a single collection offers significant benefit by improving inventory logistics and minimizing the cost per unit produced. Platelet collection yield by apheresis is primarily influenced by donor factors, but the cell separator used also affects the collection yield. OBJECTIVES: To predict the cutoff in donor factors resulting in HD and DD platelet collections between Trima/Spectra Optia and MCS+ apheresis equipment using Classification and Regression Trees (CART) analysis. METHODS: High platelet yield collections (target ≥ 4.5 × 1011 platelets) using MCS+, Trima Accel and Spectra Optia were included. Endpoints were ≥ 6 × 1011 platelets for DD and ≥ 4.5 to < 6 × 1011 for HD collections. The CART, a tree building technique, was used to predict the donor factors resulting in high-yield platelet collections in Trima/Spectra Optia and MCS+ equipment by R programming. RESULTS: Out of 1,102 donations, the DDs represented 60% and the HDs, 31%. The Trima/Spectra Optia predicted higher success rates when the donor platelet count was set at ≥ 205 × 103/µl and ≥ 237 × 103/µl for HD and DD collections. The MCS+ predicted better success when the donor platelet count was ≥ 286 × 103/µl for HD and ≥ 384 × 103/µl for DD collections. Increased donor weight helped counter the effects of lower donor platelet counts only for HD collections in both the equipment. CONCLUSIONS: The donor platelet count and weight formed the strongest criteria for predicting high platelet yield donations. Success rates for collecting DD and HD products were higher in the Trima/Spectra Optia, as they require lower donor platelet count and body weight than the MCS+.

Predicting donor-related factors for high platelet yield donations by classification and regression tree analysis

Introduction Collecting high-dose (HD) or double-dose (DD) apheresis platelets units from a single collection offers significant benefit by improving inventory logistics and minimizing the cost per unit produced. Platelet collection yield by apheresis is primarily influenced by donor factors, but the cell separator used also affects the collection yield. Objectives To predict the cutoff in donor factors resulting in HD and DD platelet collections between Trima/Spectra Optia and MCS+ apheresis equipment using Classification and Regression Trees (CART) analysis. Methods High platelet yield collections (target ≥ 4.5 × 1011 platelets) using MCS+, Trima Accel and Spectra Optia were included. Endpoints were ≥ 6 × 1011 platelets for DD and ≥ 4.5 to < 6 × 1011 for HD collections. The CART, a tree building technique, was used to predict the donor factors resulting in high-yield platelet collections in Trima/Spectra Optia and MCS+ equipment by R programming. Results Out of 1,102 donations, the DDs represented 60% and the HDs, 31%. The Trima/Spectra Optia predicted higher success rates when the donor platelet count was set at ≥ 205 × 103/µl and ≥ 237 × 103/µl for HD and DD collections. The MCS+ predicted better success when the donor platelet count was ≥ 286 × 103/µl for HD and ≥ 384 × 103/µl for DD collections. Increased donor weight helped counter the effects of lower donor platelet counts only for HD collections in both the equipment. Conclusions The donor platelet count and weight formed the strongest criteria for predicting high platelet yield donations. Success rates for collecting DD and HD products were higher in the Trima/Spectra Optia, as they require lower donor platelet count and body weight than the MCS+.

Evaluación de la eficacia en la colecta de plaquetas por un separador celular / Evaluation of the efficacy in the collection of platelets by a cell separator / Avaliação da eficiência da coleta de plaquetas por um separador de células separador de células

La aféresis es el procedimiento más utilizado para la obtención de concentrados plaquetarios de alto rendimiento, calidad y para mejorar las terapias transfusionales en pacientes trombocitopénicos, oncohematológicos,cirugias e incluso, en pacientes con factores clínicos adversos a la refractariedad. Objetivo. Determinar la eficacia de un separador celular en la colecta de plaquetas en un Instituto Nacional de Salud de Lima. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo; la muestra fue de 80 concentrados plaquetarios, obtenidos por plaquetoaferesis y utilizando el equipo de separador celular americano. La colecta de plaquetas se realizó en un servicio de Hemoterapia y Banco de Sangre de una institución de salud de Lima, durante los meses de febrero a julio de 2018. La eficacia se realizó evaluando el rendimiento, la eficiencia y el cumplimiento de estándares de calidad aprobados. Uno de los parámetros utilizados fue el recuento de plaquetas y leucocitos residuales, procesados en el analizador hematológico. Resultados. Las evaluaciones fueron: concentración promedio de plaquetas por concentrado plaquetario (rendimiento)= 3,4 x 1011 plaquetas /ml, recuento de leucocitos residuales = 0,07 x 10 6 leucocitos/ml, volumen promedio de sangre procesado = 2480 ml, volumen final promedio = 217,5 ml, eficiencia en la colecta = 56,9 a 63,9 %, el tiempo medio por procedimiento de colecta = 72 minutos. Conclusiones. Los concentrados plaquetarios obtenidos con el procedimiento de plaquetoaferesis cumplen con los estándares de calidad nacional e internacionales, por lo que, se concluye que este procedimiento es eficaz en la colecta de productos de alta calidad que logran la eficacia en la transfusión.

Apheresis is the most widely used procedure to obtain high yield and quality platelet concentrates and to improve transfusion therapies in thrombocytopenic patients, oncohematological patients, surgical patients and even patients with adverse clinical factors to refractoriness. Objective. To determine the efficacy of a cell separator in the collection of platelets in a National Health Institute in Lima. Material and methods. Descriptive study; the sample consisted of 80 platelet concentrates, obtained by plateletpheresis and using American cell separator equipment. The platelet collection was performed in a Hemotherapy and Blood Bank service of a health institution in Lima, during the months of February to July 2018. Effectiveness was performed by evaluating performance, efficiency and compliance with approved quality standards. One of the parameters used was the residual platelet and leukocyte count, processed in the hematological analyzer. Results. The evaluations were: average platelet concentration per platelet concentrate (yield)= 3.4 x 1011 platelets/ml, residual leukocyte count = 0.07 x 10 6 leukocytes/ml, average volume of blood processed = 2480 ml, average final volume = 217.5 ml, collection efficiency = 56.9 to 63.9 %, average time per collection procedure = 72 minutes. Conclusions. The platelet concentrates obtained with the plateletpheresis procedure comply with national and international quality standards, therefore, it is concluded that this procedure is effective in the collection of high quality products that achieve transfusion efficiency.

A aférese é o procedimento mais utilizado para obter concentrados plaquetários de alto rendimento e alta qualidade e para melhorar as terapias transfusionais em pacientes trombocitopênicos, oncohematológicos, cirúrgicos e até mesmo pacientes com fatores clínicos adversos à refratariedade. Objetivo. Para determinar a eficácia de um separador de células na coleta de plaquetas em um Instituto Nacional de Saúde em Lima. Material e métodos. Estudo descritivo; a amostra consistiu de 80 concentrados de plaquetas, obtidos por plaquetaferese e utilizando equipamento separador de células americano. A coleta de plaquetas foi realizada em um serviço de Hemoterapia e Banco de Sangue de uma instituição de saúde em Lima, durante os meses de fevereiro a julho de 2018. A eficácia foi avaliada através da avaliação do desempenho, eficiência e conformidade com os padrões de qualidade aprovados. Um dos parâmetros utilizados foi a contagem residual de plaquetas e leucócitos, processada no analisador hematológico. Resultados. As avaliações foram: concentração média de plaquetas por concentrado de plaquetas (rendimento) = 3,4 x 1011 plaquetas/ml, contagem de leucócitos residuais = 0,07 x 10 6 leucócitos/ml, volume médio de sangue processado = 2480 ml, volume final médio = 217,5 ml, eficiência da coleta = 56,9 a 63,9%, tempo médio por procedimento de coleta = 72 minutos. Conclusões. Os concentrados de plaquetas obtidos com o procedimento de plaquetférese atendem aos padrões de qualidade nacionais e internacionais, portanto, conclui-se que este procedimento é eficaz na coleta de produtos de alta qualidade que alcançam eficiência transfusional.

Seven COVID-19 Patients Treated with C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Apheresis.

Background: The fulminant course of COVID-19, triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), presents with a high mortality rate and still lacks a causative treatment. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to increase dramatically during the disease progression and correlates with deleterious outcomes. Selective CRP apheresis can reduce circulating CRP levels fast and effective. Methods: Seven hospitalized patients with documented severe COVID-19 progression, elevated CRP plasma levels (>100 mg/L) and signs of respiratory failure were treated with CRP apheresis. Two to twelve CRP apheresis sessions were performed generally in 24 h time intervals and depending on CRP plasma levels. Results: All patients had comorbidities. CRP apheresis reduced CRP plasma levels by up to 84% within a few hours, without exhibiting side effects in any patient. Despite signs of severe lung infiltration in all patients, only one patient died. The other patients showed improvements within the chest X-ray after CRP apheresis and were able to recover regardless of intubation and/or ECMO (4 patients). All remaining six patients were discharged from the hospital in good clinical condition. Conclusions: This case series presents a mortality rate of only 14%, which is dramatically lower than expected from the presented CRP levels as well as comorbidities and ventilation requirements. Our clinical observations regarding the here presented seven patients support the hypothesis that CRP is a candidate to be therapeutically targeted in the early stage of severe COVID-19.

Intercambio plasmático terapéutico por plasmafiltración: experiencia de 11 años de un centro / Therapeutic plasma exchange: experience in 102 patients

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is a procedure in which plasma and harmful macromolecules are separated from the rest of the blood components by centrifugation or filtration through membranes and are replaced with solutions with albumin and/or plasma. AIM: To communicate our experience using TPE by filtration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of records of 655 TPE sessions performed in 102 patients aged 50 ± 18 years (64% women). The requirement of renal replacement therapy (RRT) and seven days and one year mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Forty five percent of patients had hypertension or diabetes. The main indications for TPE were pulmonary-renal syndrome (PRS) (62%) and antibody mediated graft rejection (29%), followed by neurological diseases (36%). Fifteen percent of patients required RRT for one year. Mortality at seven days and one year was 20 and 30%, respectively. Out of the total of deaths associated with kidney diseases, 88% corresponded to PRS and ANCA vasculitis. The main complications were thrombocytopenia in 41%, hypocalcemia in 18%, and hypotension in 16%. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, TPE by filtration is a safe technique, with mild and preventable complications. Despite this, the reported mortality is high, which reflects the severity of the diseases that motivated the indication for TPE.

Effectiveness of lymphoplasmapheresis compared with therapeutic plasma exchange for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a retrospective evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute life-threatening disease usually treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), but some patients are refractory to TPE. The study aimed to compare lymphoplasmapheresis (LPE), an innovative treatment for TTP based on plasma exchange, with TPE in TTP treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with TTP treated at Xiang-Ya Hospital in China during 2009-2018. All patients with microangiopathic hemolysis and thrombocytopenia who received either LPE or TPE were included. The treatment outcomes were the number of sessions, volume of plasma, time in hospital, hospital costs, and rates of remission and relapse. All patients attended the hospital for follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included in the study; 18 received TPE and 27 LPE. There were no significant differences in sex, etiology of TTP, initial platelet count, schistocyte, LDH, and bilirubin between the two groups. At the time of discharge, patients treated with TPE required more treatment sessions (4.5 vs. 2, P=0.04) and higher plasma volume (7300 vs. 3100 ml, P=0.01) than patients treated with LPE. The proportions of remission (P=0.197) and relapse (P=0.257) were not significantly different between the two groups. The time to remission from admission (P=0.75) and the time to remission from first therapy (P=0.53) were also not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with TPE, LPE reduced the number of treatment sessions and plasma volume needed to treat TTP. Therefore, we propose that LPE might be a suitable treatment for TTP.

Adjustment by hematocrit level in calculation of removal rate in therapeutic apheresis.

Plasma volume (PV) variation during therapeutic apheresis (TA) (such as plasma exchange [PE] and selective PE using albumin solution as replacement solution or immunoadsorption plasmapheresis) has been considered to be unignorable. It changes the concentration of the target molecule and might impact its removal rate (RR.) This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PV variation on the calculation of the RR of fibrinogen and immunoglobulin by categorizing the hematocrit (Ht) change during TA into two patterns, that is, increased group and decreased group. In all modalities of TA, the Ht level frequently changed during apheresis sessions. In calculating RR, RR calculated with Ht adjustment was significantly higher than that calculated without adjustment in the increased group and significantly lower than it in the decreased group. Therefore, RR might have been underestimated in the increased group and overestimated in the decreased group when RR was calculated without Ht adjustment. Ht adjustment is suggested to be crucial in calculating RR in TA.

A population-based analysis on the use of therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

INTRODUCTION: In heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), selected patients are treated with therapies directed at the immune response, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). To determine IVIG and TPE characteristics and outcomes in HIT, we analyzed the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. METHODS: In a population-based analysis of the NIS, we identified hospital discharges of adult patients with a HIT diagnosis. A two-level statistical analysis was performed comparing cases as follows 1) IVIG or TPE vs. none; and 2) IVIG vs. TPE. For each analysis, the primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were thrombotic events, major bleeding, infections, hospital length of stay, and total charges. RESULTS: Among 22,152 discharges with a HIT diagnosis, 77 (0.34%) and 52 (0.23%) received TPE and IVIG, respectively. In the first level analysis of TPE or IVIG vs. no treatment, TPE or IVIG treatment was associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.85; 95%CI: 1.13-3.03, p = 0.0104), major bleeding (OR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.25-2.93, p = 0.0030), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.08-3.30, p = 0.0259), and infection (OR = 1.65; 95% CI:1.13-2.41, p = 0.0095). In the second-level analysis comparing IVIG vs. TPE, there were no significant differences in patient characteristics or outcomes in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based analysis of HIT, we found similar outcomes of IVIG and TPE-treated cases. Given the small sample size, future studies are needed to confirm this observation.

Use of therapeutic plasma exchange in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is characterized by anti-heparin/platelet factor 4 immune complexes, which are removed by therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Our main objective was to study TPE outcomes in HIT using a large administrative claims database. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify hospital discharges of adult patients (≥18) with a primary or secondary diagnosis of HIT. Cases were classified into two groups based on TPE use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were thrombotic events, major bleeding, hospital length of stay (LOS), and charges. Multivariable regression analysis, controlling for age and medical comorbidities, was used to examine the association of TPE with study outcomes. RESULTS: A HIT diagnosis was made in 22 165 discharges, of which 90 (0.4%) received TPE. Corresponding national estimates are 106 435 and 439, respectively. TPE was not associated with decreased in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.72; 95%CI: 0.93-3.17, P = .085). However, TPE was associated with a higher likelihood of major bleeding (OR = 2.35; 95%CI: 1.40-3.68, P = .0009), primarily driven by gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.17-4.17, P = .015). TPE was also associated with higher hospital LOS (20.5 vs 10 day, P < .0001) and charges (USD 211181 vs USD 81654, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: TPE's association with increased bleeding and a prolonged hospital course indicates that it is being used in HIT cases with a severe clinical phenotype. Future studies are needed to better characterize the HIT phenotype that will most benefit from TPE.

Strategies to Aid Identification of Apheresis PowerFlow Ports: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: The PowerFlow implantable apheresis intravenous port is a venous access device for therapeutic apheresis procedures. In this case review article, we identify key similarities and differences between apheresis PowerFlow ports and traditional ports. We also list strategies that emergency departments can implement to aid in correct port identification. METHODS: Using a case review format, we describe the clinical presentation of a 33-year-old female with neuromyelitis optica who was evaluated in the emergency department for an acute exacerbation. She had a history of outpatient apheresis procedures that made use of bilateral PowerFlow ports. Mistaken for a conventional port, the right PowerFlow port was accessed with a Huber needle rather than the appropriate catheter-over-needle device. On infusion of intravenous fluids, the patient experienced pain and swelling. Ultimately, the port malfunctioned and was eventually replaced. RESULTS: A subsequent root cause analysis identified opportunities for education and aids to improve port identification. To this end, strategies were implemented to appropriately identify the PowerFlow port using at least 2 of the following methods: (1) look in the patient's chart for record of an implantable apheresis intravenous port; (2) check the port identification card, bracelet, or keychain issued at insertion; (3) palpate the port to look for the rounded top and hollow concave entry point; and (4) use x-ray or fluoroscopy to identify radiopaque port markers. CONCLUSION: When a patient with a history of apheresis procedures presents with an implanted port, steps should be taken to ensure correct identification and access.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Tehran Between 2011 and 2014.

The goal of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is to remove autoantibodies, pathogenic molecules, immune complexes, toxins, high concentration lipoproteins, and pathological proteins. We aimed to present the most common indication of TPE and rate of admission to the intensive care unit. From 2011 to 2014, our retrospective study was conducted including 1069 inpatients from the Tehran Blood Transfusion Center, which was responsible for performing therapeutic apheresis in all 122 hospitals of Tehran. The patients, based on their TPE indication, were classified into five groups: hematological and oncological, neurological, renal, rheumatological diseases, and all the remaining diseases. We performed 6329 procedures of TPE on 1069 inpatients. Of the patients, 479 (44.8%) were male and 590 (55.2%) female. Their age varied from a minimum of 2 years to the maximum of 93 years. Overall, the mean of TPE sessions for each patient was 5.92 ± 3.9; 415 (38.8%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ASFA categories I/II indications were considered an appropriate request for TPE, and 82.97% (887) of all TPE were suitable. The most frequent categories of TPE indications are as follows: neurological, hematological, and renal diseases. Class I/II indications in the neurological diseases, myasthenia gravis (21.7%), Guillain-Barré disease (21%), and multiple sclerosis (13.3%), were the most prevalent. In the hematological category, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) (14.1%) was observed to be greater than the other indications. We observed that the most prevalent illnesses are neurological (myasthenia gravis), hematological (TTP), and renal.

Influx of Tau and Amyloid-ß Proteins into the Blood During Hemodialysis as a Therapeutic Extracorporeal Blood Amyloid-ß Removal System for Alzheimer's Disease.

The accumulation of amyloid-ß protein (Aß) and tau in the brain is a major pathological change related to Alzheimer's disease. We have continued to develop Extracorporeal Blood Aß Removal Systems (E-BARS) as a method for enhancing Aß clearance from the brain. Our previous report revealed that dialyzers effectively remove blood Aß and evoke large Aß influxes into the blood, resulting in a decrease in brain Aß accumulation after initiating hemodialysis, and that patients who underwent hemodialysis had lower brain Aß accumulation than those who did not. Here, plasma total tau concentrations from 30 patients undergoing hemodialysis were measured using an ultrasensitive immunoassay and compared to those from 11 age-matched controls. Plasma total tau concentrations were higher in patients with renal failure regardless of whether they underwent hemodialysis, suggesting the involvement of the kidneys in tau degradation and excretion. Hemodialyzers effectively removed blood Aß but not extracorporeal blood tau. The influx of tau into the blood was observed at around the 1 h period during hemodialysis sessions. However, the influx amount of tau was far smaller than that of Aß. Furthermore, histopathological analysis revealed similar, not significantly less, cerebral cortex phosphorylated tau accumulation between the 17 patients who underwent hemodialysis and the 16 age-matched subjects who did not, although both groups showed sparse accumulation. These findings suggest that hemodialysis may induce both tau and Aß migration into the blood. However, as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease, it may only be effective for removing Aß from the brain.

Therapeutic apheresis in neurological, nephrological and gastrointestinal diseases.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a process in which plasma containing antibodies, immune complexes, inflammatory moderators, paraproteins and other toxins which are believed to be the cause of disease is removed from a patient. TPE is the first-line treatment (category I, level 1A) in all forms of Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy disease (axonal, demyelinating and miller-fisher variant) as well as in acute myasthenic crisis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and Paraproteinemic neuropathies (category I, level 1B). Moreover, TPE in kidney diseases, for instance: desensitization in renal transplantation(ABO compatible) (living donor)and desensitization in deceased donor, desensitization in renal transplantation(ABO incompatible) (living donor), thrombotic microangiopathy complement Mediated (Factor H autoantibodies), Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(recurrent in transplanted kidney), ANCA-associated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis(Dialysis dependence, DAH), Anti-Glomerular basement membrane disease Goodpasture's syndrome)(DAH,Dialysis-independence,) has been utilized as an initial treatment. (category I) TPE has been used as the key therapeutic modality to reduce anti-A or anti-B antibody titers in the liver peri-transplant period with the goal of preventing rejection and facilitating graft survival. Also, plasma exchange is the first-line therapy in Wilson's disease (category I, level1C).

Does prophylactic calcium in apheresis cause more harm than good? - Centre heterogeneity within the World Apheresis Association Register prevents firm conclusions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Symptomatic hypocalcaemia is common during apheresis procedures based on citrate-based anticoagulants. As a consequence, patients often receive prophylactic calcium treatment. However, a recent publication based on the World Apheresis Association (WAA) register suggested harmful effects of such prophylactic calcium use. Recognizing possible limitations in the previous WAA register analyses, we critically re-evaluate the data, to test whether a change in prophylactic calcium usage may be warranted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the WAA register, we reanalysed previous data by means of centre and treatment type stratification, to explore the role of prophylactic calcium as a risk factor for adverse events. RESULTS: There was large variability in adverse event rates dependent on the centre performing the apheresis procedure and dependent on the type of procedure. When this variability was accounted for, there was no clear effect of calcium administration on risk of adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Shortcomings in the previous WAA register analyses may have failed to account for important confounding factors resulting in a substantial overestimation of the risk attributable to calcium usage. Overall our findings do not support a negative effect of prophylactic calcium administration in the apheresis setting.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in a rare case myasthenic crisis after Botox injection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are used as a cosmetic treatment to decrease wrinkles in face and chin. Being a neurotoxic agent it minimizes muscle activity, while side effects are usually rare. This article subsequently presents one case of these rare effects. CASE: A 30-year-old woman presenting with ptosis, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia and muscle weakness was admitted to our hospital. She had no history of disease. For cosmetic reasons, she had three Botox injections during the preceding months. On physical examination, muscle weakness 4/5 (cervical extensor, ocular and pharynx) was detected and a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was made. Protective artificial ventilation was necessary. As a consequence, eight sessions of 2.5 L volume Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) were applied using normal saline/albumin as substitute. Due to TPE, her muscle force and clinical condition improved. Artificial ventilation could be stopped. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical symptoms of myasthenia gravis and systemic Botox effects are very similar. This should be taken into consideration during medical history taking. The injection of high doses of Botox (more than 200 units in every injection) or boostering within less than one month is dangerous. (Botox BCC2024). Systemic side effects can be treated using TPE to lower the circulating dose of Botox.

Building blocks for institutional preparation of CTL019 delivery.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an investigational immunocellular therapy that reprograms a patient's cytotoxic T cells to engage and eliminate malignant cells. CAR T-cell therapies targeting the CD19 antigen have demonstrated high efficacy in clinical trials for patients with B-cell malignancies and may potentially be available on a broader scale in the future. CAR T-cell therapy begins with the collection of a sufficient number of T cells from a patient's peripheral blood through leukapheresis. Several factors must be considered when patients undergo leukapheresis for CAR T-cell therapy, including age and prior therapies. The leukapheresis material is shipped to a manufacturing facility, followed by return of the CAR T cells to the treatment center. Careful coordination of a multidisciplinary team composed of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other hospital personnel is critical for the proper care of the patient before, during and after CAR T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapy has been associated with adverse events (AEs) such as cytokine release syndrome, which requires rapid attention by the emergency department, intensive care unit and hospital pharmacy. In this review, we discuss several aspects of institutional preparation for leukapheresis, CAR T-cell infusion and AE management based on our experience with clinical trials of the CD19 CAR T-cell therapy CTL019.

Rupture of the stem cell bag before stem cell infusion: Evolving standard operating procedures.

The lives of recipients of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) depend upon the availability of PBPC. Rupture of stem cell bags does occur and can have devastating consequences. Each transplant center should agree on a rescue procedure and train its personnel to use it. We provide an example of such a procedure, and its update after the procedure was used for the first time.