Using the World Apheresis Association Registry Helps to Improve the Treatment Quality of Therapeutic Apheresis

Abstract

Therapeutic apheresis (TA) is prescribed to patients that suffer from a severe progressive disease that is not sufficiently treated by conventional medications. A way to gain more knowledge about this treatment is usually by the local analysis of data. However, the use of large quality assessment registries enables analyses of even rare findings. Here, we report some of the recent data from the World Apheresis Association (WAA) registry. Data from >104,000 procedures were documented, and TA was performed on >15,000 patients. The main indication for TA was the collection of autologous stem cells (45% of patients) as part of therapy for therapy. Collection of stem cells from donors for allogeneic transplantation was performed in 11% of patients. Patients with indications such as neurological diseases underwent plasma exchange (28%). Extracorporeal photochemotherapy, lipid apheresis, and antibody removal were other indications. Side effects recorded in the registry have decreased significantly over the years, with approximately only 10/10,000 procedures being interrupted for medical reasons. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Collection of data from TA procedures within a multinational and multicenter concept facilitates the improvement of treatment by enabling the analysis of and feedback on indications, procedures, effects, and side effects.

Trends in category and grade for therapeutic plasma exchange in the latest guideline on therapeutic apheresis by the American Society for Apheresis: Hurdles in pursuing evidence‐based medicine

“…According to World Apheresis Association registry data, centrifugal plasma exchange is the most frequent apheresis procedure, accounting for 28% of all procedures conducted and 64.0% of procedures after excluding preparative procedures [10]. In addition, TPE has been the predominant procedure in the ASFA guidelines, representing the highest proportion of procedures (71.1%) in ninth edition.…”

“…DISCUSSION According to World Apheresis Association registry data, centrifugal plasma exchange is the most frequent apheresis procedure, accounting F I G U R E 2 Category and grade distribution of therapeutic plasma exchange indications in the ninth edition. F I G U R E 3 Category (a, b) and grade (c, d) distribution of therapeutic plasma exchange indications in the fifth through ninth editions.for 28% of all procedures conducted and 64.0% of procedures after excluding preparative procedures[10]. In addition, TPE has been the predominant procedure in the ASFA guidelines, representing the highest proportion of procedures (71.1%) in ninth edition.…”

Plasma exchange for severe immune-related adverse events from checkpoint inhibitors: an early window of opportunity?

“…The majority of adverse events were mild (improved with no intervention) or moderate (resolved after medication) and only 0.1% were considered severe (leading to interruption of the procedure). There was only one reported death in over 100 000 procedures, which occurred in a patient with multiple comorbidities [ 54 ].…”

Therapeutic plasma exchange is feasible and tolerable in severely injured patients with trauma-induced coagulopathy

“… 4–11 This technology has an exquisite safety profile in a variety of settings, including critical illness, pregnancy, medical, surgical, and pediatrics. 12 13 Importantly, TPE is a non-specific technology, which means that all elements within the plasma are removed. A host of complex conditions that have overlap with features of TIC have been successfully treated with TPE.…”