Revisiting the impact of serial therapeutic phlebotomy in polycythaemia on laboratory and clinical parameters using a fixed interval and fixed volume protocol

• Published in: Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Société française de transfusion sanguine 2023-02, Vol.30 (1), p.63-68
• Main Authors: Bhatia, Siddharth, Kaur, Paramjit, Kaur, Gagandeep, Tahlan, Anita, Saini, Varinder, Bedi, Ravneet, Mittal, Kshitija, Sood, Tanvi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Polycythaemia vera; Primary polycythaemia; Secondary polycythaemia; Therapeutic phlebotomy
• ISSN: 1246-7820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tracli.2022.07.003

Therapeutic phlebotomy allows for a controlled and gradual decrease in red cell mass leading to improved blood flow and symptomatic relief in polycythaemia. The present study was aimed to determine the impact of serial fixed volume and fixed interval therapeutic phlebotomy protocol on the laboratory and clinical parameters in patients of polycythaemia. This prospective longitudinal study was conducted over 18 months. The desired haematocrit for polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia was 45% and 52% respectively. A fixed volume of 350 ml phlebotomy was performed every-three days till the achievement of desired haematocrit. Complete blood count was performed before and after each procedure and iron studies were done at the time of enrolment and after the achievement of desired haematocrit. Post-procedure symptomatic relief was assessed by a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Of the 29 patients enrolled in the study, 3 patients were lost to follow up and data of 26 patients was analyzed. Mean Hb declined from 17.84 ± 1.88 gdL−1 to 14.67 ± 1.14 gdL−1 (p