Therapeutic apheresis

With a new hydroxyethyl starch (Voluven) replacement technique

Abstract

Introduction: while plasma apheresis is a longstanding, widely used treatment for renal and non-renal indications, with different levels of evidence described by the American Society for Apheresis, there are few studies in the literature comparing the use of different replacement solutions (crystalloids, colloids, plasma, albumin) with regard to their clinical and paraclinical response, specifically in kidney function results.

Objective: to describe the experience of patients undergoing plasma apheresis in a quaternary care institution with a new replacement solution strategy using Voluven, emphasizing kidney function and safety outcomes. Methods: a case series which included patients treated with plasmapheresis who were admitted to the nephrology service at Hospital San José between January 2012 and April 2019. A descriptive analysis was performed.

Results: 608 plasmapheresis sessions were performed. The most common indication was acute humoral rejection in kidney transplantation. At the end of treatment, patients receiving plasma and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) had a similar proportion of hypocalcemia and thrombocytopenia. Kidney function tests remained normal after treatment.

Conclusion: our study´s comparison between the different plasma replacement fluids (albumin or HES) with regard to the side effects of therapeutic apheresis such as blood disorders (altered coagulation factors, thrombocytopenia or anemia), hypocalcemia or possible kidney function disorders, showed no major disorders and preserved kidney function during treatment. In addition, we found that HES did not cause acute kidney injury; on the contrary, kidney function was stable. Therefore, its use should be considered as a low-cost product with excellent clinical results