Iron depletion with a novel apheresis system in patients with hemochromatosis

Phlebotomy represents the standard treatment option for iron overload in hemochromatosis (HC). Recently, red blood cell (RBC) apheresis has increasingly been used to remove iron. In this study we evaluated the depletion program of the newly developed Spectra Optia device.

Adult male patients (n = 11) with HC were RBC depleted with the Spectra Optia device (Terumo BCT). In total, 24 procedures were performed. A volume of 300 to 550 mL of RBCs was withdrawn per single treatment.

No significant adverse events were recorded. A median blood volume of 857.3 ± 23.3 mL was processed. The median procedure time was 12.0 ± 0.4 minutes. The mean reduction of Hct value in each procedure was approximately 6% (Hct pre 42.6 ± 0.5% vs. Hct post 36.6 ± 0.6%) and iron removed per procedure was 405.2 ± 23.3 mg.

The Spectra Optia device proved to be highly efficient in depleting RBCs in HC patients and allows for short procedure time. The Optia device can be safely used in this clinical setting. We recommend its use in case of severe iron overload if rapid iron depletion needs to be achieved and in case of cardiac compromise due to less blood volume removed.