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Objectives To determine the variability in therapeutic apheresis (TA) and non‐blood donor related apheresis practices, and the extent of expertise and knowledge of blood centre staff. Background Apheresis activity that was earlier limited to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and donor apheresis at few centres in India has seen remarkable surge involving many centres practising TA and non‐blood donor related apheresis. The decentralised transfusion medicine practice in country has resulted in wide variability of knowledge and practice of TA. An online survey was conducted to achieve study objectives. Study design and methods A 22 questionnaire survey was sent to the 215 blood centres through e‐mail link focussing on three aspects; basic information of the participating centres, details of TA procedures and education and training levels of the staff. Results Majority (71.9%) of centres were teaching institutions among analysed 57 centres. TPE (85.9%) and therapeutic cytapheresis (71.9%) were the most common TA procedures. The clinical haematology (68.4%) followed by neurology (64.9%) were the specialities utilising TA. The 64.9% centres used continuous flow cell separator and central venous access (52%) was preferred vascular access. A combination of normal saline, fresh frozen plasma and 5% albumin replacement fluid was first choice. Doctors involved in TA were trained in apheresis during their MD/DNB degree, but no structured training program existed for other category of staff. Conclusion There was a wide variability in TA practice in India and a dedicated training program for all categories of staff was emphasised by majority of participants.

Background: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease usually affecting children and is treated with high-dose steroid therapy. Case Report: An 8-year boy presented with limbs weakness and complete loss of vision and was resistant to steroid therapy. He was further treated with plasma exchange and showed full recovery from the neurological deficit. Conclusion: Therapeutic plasma exchange appears to be effective in ADEM patients in reversing the neuropathological process especially refractory to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin.

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How to cite this article: Tripathi PP, Sharma RR, Chhabria B, Hans R, Sehgal IS. Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: A Lifesaving Therapy in Case of ANCA-associated Vasculitis with Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(7):828–829.