Browsing by Subject "Blood Component Removal"

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    Human Leukocyte Antigen Sensitization in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Primer on Terminology, Testing, and Clinical Significance for the Apheresis Practitioner.
    (Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, 2017-10) Abbes, Sarah; Metjian, Ara; Gray, Alice; Martinu, Tereza; Snyder, Laurie; Chen, Dong-Feng; Ellis, Matthew; Arepally, Gowthami M; Onwuemene, Oluwatoyosi
    The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system is an important immunologic barrier that must be considered for successful solid organ transplantation. Formation of donor-specific HLA antibodies in solid organ transplantation is an important cause of allograft injury and may contribute to recipient morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic plasma exchange is often requested to lower HLA antibody levels prior to or after transplantation and for management of HLA antibodies in the context of organ rejection. In this review, we summarize the current terminology, laboratory testing, and clinical significance of HLA sensitization in the solid organ transplant population. Furthermore, to illustrate applications of HLA testing in clinical practice, we summarize our own lung and kidney institutional protocols for managing HLA antibodies in the peri-transplant setting.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Novel Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis via Neurapheresis Therapy.
    (The Journal of infectious diseases, 2018-08) Smilnak, Gordon J; Charalambous, Lefko T; Cutshaw, Drew; Premji, Alykhan M; Giamberardino, Charles D; Ballard, Christi G; Bartuska, Andrew P; Ejikeme, Tiffany U; Sheng, Huaxin; Verbick, Laura Zitella; Hedstrom, Blake A; Pagadala, Promila C; McCabe, Aaron R; Perfect, John R; Lad, Shivanand P
    Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) has emerged as the most common life-threatening fungal meningitis worldwide. Current management involves a sequential, longitudinal regimen of antifungals; despite a significant improvement in survival compared with uniform mortality without treatment, this drug paradigm has not led to a consistent cure. Neurapheresis therapy, extracorporeal filtration of yeasts from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in infected hosts, is presented here as a novel, one-time therapy for CM. In vitro filtration of CSF through this platform yielded a 5-log reduction in concentration of the yeast and a 1-log reduction in its polysaccharide antigen over 24 hours. Additionally, an analogous closed-loop system achieved 97% clearance of yeasts from the subarachnoid space in a rabbit model over 4-6 hours. This is the first publication demonstrating the direct ability to rapidly clear, both in vitro and in vivo, the otherwise slowly removed fungal pathogen that directly contributes to the morbidity and mortality seen in CM.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Strategies to Aid Identification of Apheresis PowerFlow Ports: A Case Report.
    (Journal of emergency nursing, 2021-01) Gill, Janique C; Oakley, Darlene J; Onwuemene, Oluwatoyosi A

    Introduction

    The PowerFlow implantable apheresis intravenous port is a venous access device for therapeutic apheresis procedures. In this case review article, we identify key similarities and differences between apheresis PowerFlow ports and traditional ports. We also list strategies that emergency departments can implement to aid in correct port identification.

    Methods

    Using a case review format, we describe the clinical presentation of a 33-year-old female with neuromyelitis optica who was evaluated in the emergency department for an acute exacerbation. She had a history of outpatient apheresis procedures that made use of bilateral PowerFlow ports. Mistaken for a conventional port, the right PowerFlow port was accessed with a Huber needle rather than the appropriate catheter-over-needle device. On infusion of intravenous fluids, the patient experienced pain and swelling. Ultimately, the port malfunctioned and was eventually replaced.

    Results

    A subsequent root cause analysis identified opportunities for education and aids to improve port identification. To this end, strategies were implemented to appropriately identify the PowerFlow port using at least 2 of the following methods: (1) look in the patient's chart for record of an implantable apheresis intravenous port; (2) check the port identification card, bracelet, or keychain issued at insertion; (3) palpate the port to look for the rounded top and hollow concave entry point; and (4) use x-ray or fluoroscopy to identify radiopaque port markers.

    Conclusion

    When a patient with a history of apheresis procedures presents with an implanted port, steps should be taken to ensure correct identification and access.
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    Therapeutic white blood cell and platelet depletions using the spectra OPTIA system continuous mononuclear cell protocol.
    (Journal of clinical apheresis, 2018-10) Cates, Nancy C; Oakley, Darlene J; Onwuemene, Oluwatoyosi A
    The Spectra Optia apheresis system has only recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for therapeutic white blood cell (WBC) depletions and is not yet approved for platelet depletions. Prior to FDA-approval of the WBC depletion protocol, when our available COBE Spectra apheresis systems were out of service, we successfully performed WBC depletion using a modified Spectra Optia apheresis system Continuous Mononuclear Cell (CMNC) protocol. Using this modified Spectra Optia CMNC protocol, we created institutional protocols for WBC and platelet depletions. We performed 10 WBC depletions in 9 patients and 2 platelet depletions in 2 patients. We compared pre- and post-procedure WBC, platelet count, and hemoglobin to the same data from patients previously treated on the COBE Spectra and found no difference in % WBC and platelet reduction. We also found no significant difference in post-procedural hematocrit decline. Additionally, adverse reactions were not increased. Therefore, we conclude that the Spectra Optia CMNC protocol can be successfully modified for effective WBC and platelet depletions without increase in adverse reactions.