More efficient exchange of sickle red blood cells can be achieved by exchanging the densest red blood cells: An ex vivo proof of concept study.

Background: In sickle cell disease (SCD), red blood cells (RBCs) containing hemoglobin S can be denser than RBCs containing wild-type hemoglobin, especially when dehydrated. We hypothesize that targeting denser RBCs during red blood cell (RBC) exchange for SCD could result in more efficient removal of dehydrated, sickled RBCs and preservation of non-sickled RBCs.

Study Design And Methods: Waste products from RBC exchanges for SCD were used as "simulated patients".

The thrombotic microangiopathy Registry of North America: A United States multi-institutional TMA network.

The thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) Registry Network of North America (TRNA) is a collaborative network organized for the purpose of developing a multi-institutional registry and network to conduct clinical studies in a rare patient population. The TRNA was founded in 2013 by four academic medical centers (Columbia University Medical Center, Duke University Medical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Pennsylvania) to develop a national and demographically diverse dataset of patients with TMA. A clinical database was developed by network members using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), a web-based database developed for clinical research.

Anaphylactoid-like reactions in a patient with HyperLp(a)lipidemia undergoing LDL apheresis with dextran sulfate adsorption and herbal therapy with the spice turmeric.

Elevated Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels are associated with atherosclerosis and are independent risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke [Ariyo et al., N Engl J Med 2003;349:2108–2115; Price et al., Atherosclerosis 2001;157:241–249].