Efficacy, safety and cost-efficiency of using an alternative technique for automated exchange transfusion in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients suffer complications requiring simple and/or exchange transfusion. In 1999 we developed an automated exchange technique using infusion pumps and vascular catheters (IV Pump Method).

Objective: To prove that IV Pump Method is cost-efficient, and as safe and effective as automated cell separators.