Professional
Technical
IVT
erythrocytapheresis
Pronunciation: eh-RITH-row-sy-ta-fur-EE-sis
Automated red blood cell exchange procedure used to treat sickle cell crises and prevent complications.
Full Definition
A specialized apheresis procedure that removes a patient's red blood cells and replaces them with donor red blood cells, typically used as an urgent treatment for severe sickle cell crises or as preventive therapy for high-risk patients. The procedure rapidly reduces the percentage of sickle cells while maintaining normal blood volume and hematocrit. In pediatric practice, erythrocytapheresis may be used for acute chest syndrome, stroke prevention, or preparation for surgery in sickle cell patients.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from simple transfusion, which adds blood without removing patient's cells.
In Context
- "Emergency erythrocytapheresis was performed to treat the patient's acute chest syndrome." — Critical care procedure note
- "Chronic erythrocytapheresis was initiated for stroke prevention in this high-risk sickle cell patient." — Hematology treatment plan
Also known as
red blood cell exchange
RBC exchange
Don't confuse with
plasmapheresis
simple transfusion