Vascular access for apheresis: State of the art.

The vascular access is a crucial issue when performing a therapeutic apheresis treatment, therefore an updated knowledge of the available vascular access devices is recommended. There are not many vascular access devices designed for apheresis, but potentially useful devices may be found on the market. One of the most useful improvements in an apheresis unit is the use of an ultrasound system for cannulating peripheral veins.

Plasma Exchange: An Effective Rescue Therapy in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection.

Objectives: Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 can induce uncontrolled systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate if plasma exchange, through the removal of circulating mediators, can be used as rescue therapy in these patients.

Design: Single center case series.

Peripheral venous access devices for apheresis: 16-gauge is not always needed.

Background: Peripheral venous access (PVA) devices for apheresis should be selected to provide enough flow with the least vein damage, but little information is available about PVA devices blood flow rates. The aim of this study was to know the blood flow rates provided by the most frequent PVA devices used in apheresis procedures.

Study Design And Methods: An experimental study was designed to simulate a plasma exchange procedure using citrated whole blood (WB).

Therapeutic thrombocytapheresis for extreme thrombocytosis after chemotherapy in essential thrombocytosis.

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of thrombocytosis and it can be complicated by thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic events. Treatment options include low-dose aspirin and cytoreductive agents such as hydroxyurea. In cases of extreme thrombocytosis, therapeutic thrombocytapheresis can be a useful procedure.