Therapeutic leukapheresis is a treatment modality which selectively remove abnormal leukocytes and relieve symptoms produced by abnormally high concentration of leukocytes in the blood stream. Authors report the experiences of therapeutic
leukapheresis
at Seoul National University Hospital during the past 7 years (1988 to 1995)
A total of 48 procedures were done for 29 patients(24 males and 5 females). The age distribution was from 16 years to 60 years and mean age was 30 years. The most common diagnosis of patients were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (7/15, 46.7%) and
major
indications for therapeutic leukapheresis were dyspnea, headache, abdominal pain and mental alteration. The mean leukocyte count before and after leukapheresis were 277,300/uL and 220,700/uL. Respectively (20% decrease, P<0.001). Hemoglobin
concentration was also decreased from 7.7g/dL to 7.1g/dL after leukapheresis(P<0.01). The mean number of leukocytes removed per procedure was 3.1×10E11. Adverse reaction such as abdominal pain and dizziness were observed in two cases. The
leukocyte
count was decreased in all patients and improvement of symptoms was observed in four patients.
In conclusion, therapeutic leukapheresis is relatively safe and can be used to relieve leukostatic symptoms in leukemic patients.
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