The 2019 guidelines from the American Society for Apheresis: what's new?

Area of Science:

• Apheresis and Transfusion Medicine
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) has a long history of publishing practice guidelines for therapeutic apheresis since 1986.
• These guidelines are periodically updated to reflect new literature and evolving clinical practice.
• The Journal of Clinical Apheresis Special Issue serves as the primary publication venue for these guidelines.

Observation:

• The eighth special issue of ASFA guidelines was recently published, representing an update to evidence-based apheresis practice.
• While no new indications for therapeutic apheresis were introduced in the 2019 edition, several existing indications have undergone recommended category changes.
• Organizational adjustments, including the renaming of some fact sheets, were also implemented in this latest edition.

Findings:

• The review details the evolution of the ASFA guidelines since their inception.
• Significant changes and updates compared to the previous edition are highlighted.
• The 2019 guidelines reflect a continuous effort to refine and standardize therapeutic apheresis practices.

Implications:

• These updated guidelines provide clinicians with the most current recommendations for therapeutic apheresis.
• The changes in category recommendations may influence treatment decisions and patient management.
• The ongoing review process ensures that ASFA guidelines remain relevant and aligned with scientific advancements in the field.