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. 1983 Feb 12;286(6364):511–514. doi: 10.1136/bmj.286.6364.511

Erythrapheresis in patients with polycythaemia secondary to hypoxic lung disease.

J A Wedzicha, R M Rudd, M C Apps, F E Cotter, A C Newland, D W Empey
PMCID: PMC1546592  PMID: 6402128

Abstract

Erythrapheresis was performed in 10 patients with polycythaemia secondary to hypoxic lung disease (mean PaO2, 6.8 kPa (51 mm Hg)). The mean packed cell volume decreased from 0.64 to 0.48 in men and from 0.56 to 0.42 in women, with significant decreases in blood viscosity at both high and low shear rates (p less than 0.001). Patients showed significant improvement in six-minute walking distances (p less than 0.001) and in tests of mental alertness (p less than 0.01) compared to control subjects. Visual analogue scales confirmed symptomatic improvement after erythrapheresis. Erythrapheresis significantly improved symptoms, mental function, and work performance in patients with polycythaemia secondary to hypoxic lung disease. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients and no complications occurred.

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Selected References

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