Erythrapheresis compared with placebo apheresis in patients with polycythaemia secondary to hypoxic lung disease.
We have assessed the effects of erythrapheresis, a method of isovolaemic haemodilution, and placebo apheresis in 10 patients with polycythaemia secondary to chronic hypoxic lung disease (Mean PaO2 7.2kPa (54 mm Hg]. The mean packed cell volume decreased from 0.60 to 0.48, with significant decreases in blood viscosity at both high and low shear rates (p less than 0.001). The 6-min walking distance improved after erythrapheresis with no significant placebo effect of the procedure compared to control subjects (p less than 0.01). Erythrapheresis is a safe procedure for packed cell volume reduction. It is associated with clinical improvement and there is no demonstrable placebo effect on exercise tolerance.
D001809:Blood Viscosity; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006438:Hemodilution / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010919:Placebos; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D010919:Placebos