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Case Reports
. 2023 Jul-Dec;17(2):279-284.
doi: 10.4103/ajts.ajts_138_22. Epub 2023 May 11.

A case report and review of literature on the role of automated red cell exchange in managing sickle cell crisis in India

Vinu Rajendran  1 , Archisha Kalra  1 , Ashna George  1 , Deepika Chenna  1 , Ganesh Mohan  1 , Shamee Shastry  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A case report and review of literature on the role of automated red cell exchange in managing sickle cell crisis in India

Vinu Rajendran et al. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2023 Jul-Dec.

Abstract

Red cell exchanges (RCE) help in the treatment of complications of sickle cell anemia (SCA) by reducing the viscosity of blood and improving the oxygen-carrying capacity. We present a case of sickle cell crisis (SCC) managed with automated RCE and also reviewed the literature to assess the utilization and clinical efficiency of this therapy in India. A 19-year-old gentleman diagnosed with SCA presented with acute chest syndrome. Hemoglobin (Hb) was 8.8 g%, hematocrit (HCT) was 24%, and HbS was 90%. As there was worsening of symptoms with conventional management, the patient underwent two procedures of automated RCE. The clinical condition of the patient was improved, HbS was reduced to 16% and HCT was remained at 21% postprocedure. Articles on automated RCE in SCA conducted in India were reviewed and four articles were analyzed based on the search strategy. All the included articles concluded automated RCE as an effective procedure for complications of SCA. Common indication in India was SCA patients undergoing surgery as a prophylactic measure. Automated RCEs are promising as an acute treatment for indicated sickle cell complications. This therapy is underutilized in the Indian scenario, especially in patients with SCC.

Keywords: Erythrocytapheresis; Hb; HbS; hemolytic anemia; red cell depletion; red cell exchange; sickle cell anemia; sickle cell crisis; sickle cell disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Laboratory parameters through the course of red cell exchange
Figure 2
Figure 2
PRISMA chart showing the summary of data extraction history. PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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