Efficacy, safety and cost-efficiency of using an alternative technique for automated exchange transfusion in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease

Villar Prados, M.B.; García De Jesús, R.; Fernández Sein, A.; Iglesias García, M.

Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 102(1): 13-17

2010


ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849
PMID: 20853567
Document Number: 12366
Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients suffer complications requiring simple and/or exchange transfusion. In 1999 we developed an automated exchange technique using infusion pumps and vascular catheters (IV Pump Method). To prove that IV Pump Method is cost-efficient, and as safe and effective as automated cell separators. Retrospective chart review of SCD patients requiring exchange transfusion admitted to PICU from 2003-2009. Evaluated method used, complications, costs, and Hemoglobin S% (HgS%) change, excluding patients not requiring exchange transfusion. Cost-reduction with IV Pump Method is around $1000. Average HgS% reduction using IV Pump Method was 30.3 vs. 28.8 in Blood Cell Separator group (p = 0.84). We had no complications or mortalities, with the majority of patients being male (p = 0.03) and on the oldest age group (11-19 y/o) for both methods. The IV Pump Method is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to perform exchange transfusion.

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Efficacy, safety and cost-efficiency of using an alternative technique for automated exchange transfusion in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease