Thrombocytapheresis: An important therapeutic tool in the management of thrombocytosis in cerebral venous thrombosis

Abstract

Introduction: Therapeutic thrombocytapheresis is an effective and useful measure of platelet reduction in patients with severe thrombocytosis from various primary or secondary causes of thrombocytosis to relieve patient of debilitating complications. American Society of Apheresis (ASFA) has recommended platelet reduction by thrombocytapheresis procedures for symptomatic relief in essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera indications under category 2C, but other causes are not included in this category by ASFA. Case Report: Here, a case of cerebral venous thrombosis is presented which developed severe thrombocytosis in the post-operative period as secondary (reactive) cause to acute hemorrhage and benefitted after successful therapeutic thrombocytapheresis procedures without any debilitating or residual complications of neurosurgery. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of therapeutic platelet reduction by a very simple and easy plateletapheresis procedure which is routinely done in many blood establishments globally for other indications.

The role of thrombocytapheresis in the management of extreme thrombocytosis: a 6 years’ experience from a tertiary care center

“…The thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks associated with primary thrombocytosis ranged from 3.8 to 23.7% and 23.7% to 36% while in secondary thrombocytosis it was ranging from 0 to 14% and 3.03 to 4% respectively [2,[11][12][13][14][15]. Though it is evident from the above studies that the percentage of population developing risks was comparatively lower in the reactive thrombocytosis group when compared to primary thrombocytosis, this needs to be re-explored in the coming days as the number of reports highlighting the risks associated with secondary thrombocytosis are increasing [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. The incidence of thrombotic episodes ranged from 22% to 63% and the incidence of bleeding episodes from 11% to 21% in patients with thrombocythemia [24].…”