Data from the WAA apheresis registry was collected from various apheresis procedures performed at 23 centres in 12 countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of adverse events that can be expected when performing cytapheresis with focus on leukapheresis in relation to other procedures.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a histopathological feature of various diseases including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). There are many secondary causes of TMA, many of them could mimic TTP or HUS. This article presents a short overview on TMA. In conclusion TMA is the result of various etiology reasons and pathologic reactions with various clinical entities. It is important to focus on a thorough history including family history when deciding on a diagnosis. Analysis of ADAMTS 13 and ADAMTS 13-antibodies may help to decide continued therapy.

UNLABELLED:Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) is a histopathological feature of various diseases including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome and prognostic variables of TMA-patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Data were consecutively retrieved from the WAA-apheresis registry (www.waa-registry.org) during 2003-2009. Included were all 120 patients (1237 procedures) who suffered from various forms of TMA, as registered by the ICD-10 code M31.1. Besides registry data, more extensive information was retrieved from the latest 64 patients. Adverse events of the TMA patients were compared to those of the other patients in the registry. RESULTS:The mean age was 46 years (range 11-85 years, 57% women). In 72% therapeutic apheresis was due to an acute indication while a long-term indication was present in 28%. Plasma exchange was performed by centrifugation and filtration technique (95% and 4%, respectively), and immunoadsorption in 1% of the patients. Only fresh frozen plasma was used as replacement fluid in 69% of procedures. Adverse events were more frequent than in the general apheresis population (10% versus 5%, RR 1.9, CI 1.6-2.3). No death occurred due to apheresis treatment. Three percent of the procedures were interrupted. Bronchospasm and/or anaphylactic shock were present in two patients and one patient suffered from TRALI. At admission 26% were bedridden and needed to be fed. The risk of dying during the treatment period was significantly higher if the patient also suffered from a compromising disease, such as cancer. There was an inverse correlation between the ADAMTS13 level and the antibody titer (r=-0.47, p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with TMA have an increased risk for moderate and severe AE compared to the general apheresis population. Many patients were severely ill at admission. The prognosis is worse if the patient also has a severe chronic disease. Even slightly increased ADAMTS13-antibody titers seem to have a negative impact on the ADAMTS13 levels.

Objectives: Seventy-five centers from many countries have applied for a login code to the WAA apheresis registry. Fifteen centers from 7 countries have been actively entering data at the internet site from 2003 until 2007. We report on data from the registry so far.Methods: This is a web-based registry. A link is available from the WAA homepage (www.worldapheresis.org). So far data from 2013 patients (12,448 procedures) have been included. A median of 6 treatments have been performed (range 1140). Mean age 51 years (range 1-94 years; 45% women). Seven percent of the patients were <= 21 years and 4% were <= 16 years.Results: The purpose of the apheresis procedure was therapeutic in 67% and retrieval of blood components in 33% Main indications: neurological and hematological diseases, lipid apheresis and stemcell collection (autologous, and some allogeneic). Blood access: peripheral vessels (71%), central dialysis catheter through jugular (6.5%) or subclavian veins (6.7%), femoral vein (8%) and AV fistula (4%). ACD was used for anticoagulation in 73% of the procedures. Albumin was mainly used as replacement fluid.Adverse events (AE) were registered in 5.7% of the procedures. AE was graded as mild (2.5%), moderate (2.7%) or severe (0.5%). No death occurred due to treatment. The procedures were interrupted in 2.6%. Most frequent AEs were blood access problems (29%), tingling around the mouth (20%), hypotension (18%), and urticaria (9%). There were significant differences between the centers regarding mild and moderate AEs. Data indicate that centers using continuous infusion of calcium had fewer AEs.Conclusion: There was a limited number of severe AEs. Centers use various standard procedures for apheresis. By learning from the experience of others the treatment quality will improve further. In the near future, an update of the registry will enable more extensive evaluation of the data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.