Modified method of exchange transfusion in sickle cell disease

The treatment of various complications of sickle cell disease has included red cell exchange in the past, and the development of automated pheresis equipment has greatly simplified such exchanges. Traditionally, the patient's red cells have been exchanged while their plasma was returned to them. Recently, plasma factors have been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of vasoocclusive events. Therefore, we performed whole blood exchange, which consisted of replacement of the patient's plasma with albumin and saline in addition to the usual replacement of erythrocytes. A total of 32 whole blood exchanges were performed on 12 patients with a variety of complications of their disease. The procedure was done using standard pheresis equipment and was relatively simple to perform. There were no serious complications and the clinical outcome was good with 10 out of 12 patients experiencing improvement.