title: In hereditary hemochromatosis, red cell apheresis removes excess iron twice as fast as manual whole blood phlebotomy.
abstract: The current treatment of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) consists of performing periodic manual whole blood phlebotomies. Erythroapheresis (EPH) is considered to be an alternative procedure if the classic treatment is contra-indicated. A prospective study of 13 consecutive cases of HH were included in a periodic EPH program with the aim of assessing the efficacy, feasibility, and tolerability of EPH in the treatment of HH by induction and maintenance. Iron depletion (ferritin <20 microg/l) was achieved in all patients after a mean of 6.7 +/- 2.9 months of treatment and a mean of 13.5 +/- 7.2 EPH sessions. The procedure was well tolerated and there were no complications. After a follow-up period of 10.5 +/- 6.6 months, only four patients have required further maintenance sessions beyond 6 months after completing the induction therapy. The efficacy, speed, tolerability, and more favorable schedule of an EPH program facilitate treatment of HH.
authors.affiliation: Fundació Banc de Sang i Teixits de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. jmuncunill@retemail.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muncunill
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vaquer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galmés
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obrador
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parera
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bargay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Besalduch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001781:Blood Component Removal; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018962:Phlebotomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron