Wolf J, Alfred A, Gennery AR, New HV, Scarisbrick J, Griffin J. UK national survey of anticoagulation in extra-corporeal photopheresis-Is it time for a UK consensus statement?
Transfus Med 2021;
32:77-81. [PMID:
34859511 DOI:
10.1111/tme.12836]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Extra-corporeal photopheresis (ECP) requires anticoagulation to prevent circuit clotting. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is currently the only anticoagulant licensed for the ECP system in use in the United Kingdom (UK). Acid citrate dextrose-A (ACD-A) is the preferred anticoagulant for most other apheresis procedures. Anecdotal evidence suggested variability in ECP practice across the UK with some providers using off-label ACD-A.
AIMS
We developed a survey together with the UK Photopheresis Society to establish current practice.
MATERIALS & METHODS
This was distributed to all 17 ECP providers covering 34 UK sites.
RESULTS
Significant variability in practice was demonstrated with only 36% of responding providers (5/14) using UFH exclusively and 29% (4/14) using ACD-A as standard.
CONCLUSION
This survey highlights the need for a UK consensus.
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