The Role of Red Blood Cell Exchange Transfusion in the Treatment and Prevention of Complications of Sickle Cell Disease

• Published in: Therapeutic apheresis Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 24 - 31
• Main Author: Danielson, Constance F.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA, USA Blackwell Publishing, Inc 01.02.2002
• Subjects: Anemia, Sickle Cell - complications; Apheresis; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases - prevention & control; Male; Multiple Organ Failure - prevention & control; Pregnancy; Priapism - prevention & control; Red blood cell exchange; Sickle cell anemia; Sickle cell disease; Stroke - prevention & control; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Transfusion
• ISSN: 1091-6660; 1526-0968
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1526-0968.2002.00396.x

: Patients with sickle cell disease have abnormal red blood cells (RBCs). This can cause chronic hemolytic anemia and vaso‐occlusion leading to tissue hypoxemia and organ dysfunction. RBC exchange transfusion can, without increasing the whole‐blood viscosity, quickly replace abnormal erythrocytes with normal and raise the hematocrit resulting in improved delivery of oxygen to hypoxic tissues. Unfortunately, transfusion can also be associated with complications. This paper reviews the role of transfusion, both simple and exchange, in the treatment and prevention of sickle‐related complications. The benefits of exchange versus simple transfusion and transfusion versus alternative therapies are discussed.