Study of Automated Red Cell Exchange in Nine Cases of Sickle Cell Disease in Tertiary Care Hospital

Dr. Farzana F. Kothari, Dr. Bhavika M. Khunt, Dr. Sumit V. Bharadva, Dr Visali B, Dr. Ankita K. Rathod

Abstract: Background: Red cell exchange is a very effective yet underutilized therapy for both acute and chronic complications of SCD. RCE is performed by removal of patient?s red cells and replacement with allogenic red cells. The exchange prevents sickle cells from participating in vaso - occlusive events by decreasing the blood viscosity and increasing oxygen carrying capacity. Methods: This Retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care centre in Baroda medical college, Gujarat, India. Here we shared our experience by analyzing 09 RCE procedures performed in patients of SCD on F. KABI Machine of Apheresis system. Discussion & Result: Out of 09 patients who underwent RCE for SCA, one patient was admitted for hip joint replacement due to avascular necrosis of head of femur. The remaining patients were admitted for complaints of Vaso - occlusive crisis and others. The average range of pre - HbS levels was between 75% to 89% & post RCE was brought down to 24 to 35%. This was achieved by a single sitting of RCE in all these cases by improving the oxygen carrying capacity. Conclusions: RCE is a very safe & clinically effective therapeutic procedure with minimal to nil side effects. It is helpful to reduce iron overload due to top up transfusion. This procedure is underutilized due to various reasons like inadequate awareness/technical expertise, lack of equipments & facilities to identify the clinical conditions.

Keywords: Automated Red cell Exchange (aRCE), Sickle cell disease (SCD), Red Cell Exchange (RCE), Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA), Apheresis Machine

How to Cite?: Dr. Farzana F. Kothari, Dr. Bhavika M. Khunt, Dr. Sumit V. Bharadva, Dr Visali B, Dr. Ankita K. Rathod, "Study of Automated Red Cell Exchange in Nine Cases of Sickle Cell Disease in Tertiary Care Hospital", Volume 13 Issue 12, December 2024, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 149-151, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR241129191855, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR241129191855