title: A clinical analysis of erythrocytapheresis for the treatment of polycythemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of erythrocytapheresis (ECP) in the treatment of polycythemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients diagnosed with polycythemia were included in this retrospective analysis and treated with ECP (n=20) or conventional treatments (exsanguination; n=20). Blood laboratory values and adverse effects were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In ECP-treated patients mean red blood cell (RBC) collection time was 25.7±4.5min (range: 19-37min), with a mean collection volume of 773.5±129.3mL (range: 600-1002mL). From baseline, ECP reduced the mean number of RBCs (0.6×10(12)/L [7.6%]), mean hemoglobin (31.1g/L [14.8%]), and mean hematocrit (13.1% [20.2%]) (P<0.001 for each). After ECP, a marked reduction in symptoms associated with polycythemia was also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of patients with polycythemia using ECP reduces RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. The advantages associated with ECP over conventional therapy should be considered when choosing a treatment plan for patients with polycythemia.
authors: Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Huasheng
authors: H
authors: Liu
authors: Haibo
authors: H
authors: Liu
authors: Jingzhi
authors: J
authors: Shen
authors: Chunhong
authors: C
authors: Sun
authors: Caili
authors: C
authors: Guo
authors: Huan
authors: H
authors: Lin
authors: Jianna
authors: J
authors: Yao
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Ma
authors: Mei
authors: M
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D016238:Cytapheresis; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies