Topic Teaching: Introduction to Therapeutic Apheresis

Presented by:

Christopher J. Patriquin MD, MSc, FRCPC
Consultant, Hematology and Apheresis Medicine
Clinician Investigator, University Health Network
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Objectives:

1.    Present apheresis technologies and basic physiology.
2.    Outline initial patient assessment and preparation.
3.    Review indications for treatment.
4.    Discuss cautions and complications.

References:

1.    Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids in Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis.  Walsh M, Merkel PA, Peh CA, Szpirt WM, Puéchal X, Fujimoto S, Hawley CM, Khalidi N, Floßmann O, Wald R, Girard LP, Levin A, Gregorini G, Harper L, Clark WF, Pagnoux C, Specks U, Smyth L, Tesar V, Ito-Ihara T, de Zoysa JR, Szczeklik W, Flores-Suárez LF, Carette S, Guillevin L, Pusey CD, Casian AL, Brezina B, Mazzetti A, McAlear CA, Broadhurst E, Reidlinger D, Mehta S, Ives N, Jayne DRW; PEXIVAS Investigators.  N Engl J Med. 2020 Feb 13;382(7):622-631. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1803537.  PMID: 32053298 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
2.    Caplacizumab for Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.  Peyvandi F, Scully M, Kremer Hovinga JA, Cataland S, Knöbl P, Wu H, Artoni A, Westwood JP, Mansouri Taleghani M, Jilma B, Callewaert F, Ulrichts H, Duby C, Tersago D; TITAN Investigators.  N Engl J Med. 2016 Feb 11;374(6):511-22. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1505533.PMID: 26863353 Free article. Clinical Trial.
3.    Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice - Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Eighth Special Issue.  Padmanabhan A, Connelly-Smith L, Aqui N, Balogun RA, Klingel R, Meyer E, Pham HP, Schneiderman J, Witt V, Wu Y, Zantek ND, Dunbar NM, Schwartz GEJ.  J Clin Apher. 2019 Jun;34(3):171-354. doi: 10.1002/jca.21705.  PMID: 31180581

Note: The session is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

To register for the LearnTransfusion series, send an email to learn.transfusion@blood.ca with  “Weekly Transfusion Medicine Seminars” in the subject line. Include your name and complete e-mail address in the body of the e-mail, and confirm that you would like to register for the LearnTransfusion series. You will then receive weekly email notifications of upcoming series events with details on how to join the webinars (e.g., call-in number and a link to register for the webinar).

The LearnTransfusion series is the seminar component of the Areas of Focused Competency (AFC)-Diploma Program in Transfusion Medicine. The series, organized by Canadian Blood Services is also open to all practitioners in the field of Transfusion Medicine. Through a series of regular webinars, trainees and practitioners are exposed to various scientific, technical and clinical aspects of transfusion medicine.