Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast 025: Therapeutic Apheresis Essentials with Jeff Winters
Jan 16, 2017
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Jeff Winters, editor of the Journal of Clinical Apheresis and director of the therapeutic apheresis service at Mayo Clinic, sheds light on the often misunderstood world of therapeutic apheresis. He shares insights about its significance in treating various medical conditions and explores different apheresis techniques, comparing practices across countries. Dr. Winters emphasizes the collaborative roles of medical professionals in this specialty, all while demystifying plasma exchange and discussing its impact on patient outcomes.
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Plasma Exchange Is Most Common
- Plasma exchange is the single most common therapeutic apheresis procedure in the U.S.
- At Mayo Clinic Jeff Winters performs roughly equal numbers of plasma exchanges and stem cell collections among 3,000 annual procedures.
Rely On ASFA Guidelines
- Use the ASFA guidelines (every 3 years) as the primary reference for apheresis indications and technical details.
- Review the committee fact sheets, categories, and recommendation grades before deciding on treatment.
Understanding ASFA Categories
- ASFA categories (1–4) indicate whether apheresis is first-line, second-line, uncertain, or ineffective/harmful.
- Use categories plus evidence grades (1A–2C) to gauge strength and quality of recommendations.