Clinical apheresis is a medical procedure that selectively removes certain blood components to treat various conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and blood disorders. It involves drawing blood, separating it into its components, extracting harmful substances like excess cells or antibodies, and returning the rest to the patient. This targeted approach minimizes side effects and is also used for collecting specific cells for transplantation or donation.

About the subgroup

The Apheresis  subgroup of the ISBT Clinical Transfusion Working is an international group of professionals with an interest in providing Educational resources for healthcare providers, especially the ones who are early in their careers, in the field of clinical apheresis. 

The subgroup’s objectives are

  • To network, gain and share knowledge among Clinical Apheresis Specialists in Global Platforms through research and collaboration across organizations. 
  • To increase of international co-operation in the apheresis field, sharing knowledge in the field of apheresis.

Subgroup Activities

1. We hold virtual meetings quarterly, and meet in person at International and Regional conferences a minimum of once a year.
2. We create scientific content in the field of clinical apheresis.

Leadership

Hans Vrielink

Hans Vrielink

Apheresis Subgroup Chair, Specialist in Apheresis Medicine, Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Soumya Das

Soumya Das

Apheresis Subgroup Co-chair, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Resources

  1. Connelly-Smith L, Alquist CR, Aqui NA, Hofmann JC, Klingel R, Onwuemene OA, Patriquin CJ, Pham HP, Sanchez AP, Schneiderman J, Witt V, Zantek ND, Dunbar NM. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice - Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Ninth Special Issue. J Clin Apher. 2023 Apr;38(2):77-278. doi: 10.1002/jca.22043. PMID: 37017433. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.22103
  2. Rogers KJ, Mott SL, Parsons MG, Schlueter AJ. Use of subgroup-specific hematopoietic stem cell collection efficiencies to improve truncation calculations for large-volume leukapheresis procedures. J Clin Apher. 2023; 38(6): 664-676. doi:10.1002/jca.22077 ttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.22077
  3. Choi J, Markantonis JE, De Simone N, Nero A, Kim J, Sarode R. Hemoglobin S target of <50% as compared to 30% in chronic red cell exchange for secondary stroke prevention in sickle cell disease. J Clin Apher. 2023; 38(6): 677-684. doi:10.1002/jca.22078 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.22078
  4. Auen T, Renavikar P, Habib E, Koepsell SA. Therapeutic leukocytapheresis for leukostasis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report and literature review. J Clin Apher. 2023; 38(6): 764-769. doi:10.1002/jca.22082 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.22082 
  5. Kohli R, Geneen LJ, Brunskill SJ, et al. Assessing efficacy and safety of replacement fluids in therapeutic plasma exchange: A systematic scoping review of outcome measures used. J Clin Apher. 2022; 37(5): 438-448. doi:10.1002/jca.21996 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.21996 
  6. Zhuang L, Lauro D, Wang S, Yuan S. Addition of plerixafor in poorly mobilized allogeneic stem cell donors. J Clin Apher. 2022; 37(4): 388-394. doi:10.1002/jca.21992 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.21992 
  7. Baldwin I, Todd S. Therapeutic plasma exchange in the intensive care unit and with the critically ill, a focus on clinical nursing considerations. J Clin Apher. 2022; 37(4): 397-404. doi:10.1002/jca.21984 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.21984
  8. Mayer W, Kontekakis A, Maas C, Kuchenbecker U, Behlke S, Schennach H. Comparison of procedure times and collection efficiencies using integrated and multistep nonintegrated procedures for extracorporeal photopheresis. J Clin Apher. 2022; 37(4): 332-339. doi:10.1002/jca.21974 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.21974
  9. Reik R, Gammon RR, Carol N, et al. Rapid development of a de novo convalescent plasma program in response to a global pandemic: A large southeastern U.S. blood center's experience. J Clin Apher. 2021; 36: 533–546. https://doi.org/10.1002/jca.21889 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.21889
  10. Azar N, Leblond V, Ouzegdouh M, Button P. A transition from using multi-step procedures to a fully integrated system for performing extracorporeal photopheresis: A comparison of costs and efficiencies. J Clin Apher. 2017; 32: 474–478. https://doi.org/10.1002/jca.21542 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jca.21542