Apheresis technologies and clinical applications: the 2000 International Apheresis Registry

The developments in apheresis technologies and techniques and their clinical applications worldwide are technologically, sociologically, and economically driven. In the past, apheresis survey statistics have highlighted both the differences by geographical region in clinical practices and in the types of technologies utilized. While a national view of apheresis is critically important, an international view of apheresis may be more representative overall of this therapeutic modality than national results that are highly dependent on the local economics and the available technologies. These regional differences have provided a basis for the scientific and clinical assessments of these apheresis technologies and their clinical outcomes and have impacted the marketing and business developments of new technologies worldwide. The results of the International Apheresis Registry for 2000 reporting on 39 centers on 4 continents are presented. This survey collected data on 1,080 patients for a total of 15,257 treatments. Information gathered included patient demographics, medical history, treatment diagnoses, treatment specifics (type, methodology, access type, anticoagulants, drugs, equipment usage), side effects, clinical response, and payment provider. As in the prior International Apheresis Registry for 1983, the survey results highlighted the regional differences in apheresis usage and treatment specifics, indicating that an international overview of apheresis may be more representative of the impact of this therapeutic modality.