Complications and How to Avoid Them During Apheresis

Apheresis has developed into a mechanically based adjuvant treatment method. Stem cell transplants and high-dose therapies, technological developments, and advances in cell processing methods and plasma/immunomodulation have marked hemato-oncology and immunohematology in the last 15 years. Although various complications may occur during apheresis procedures, serious complications are extremely rare. Complications related to citrate effect and vascular access are the most common complications. Other less common complications include adverse effects on the circulatory system, changes in the pharmacodynamics of drugs, infections, mechanical hemolysis, allergic reactions, and respiratory distress. In summary, therapeutic apheresis procedures are reported to be acceptably safe even with older devices; today, these procedures can be performed even more safely. If the complications that may be encountered during the procedure are known, they can be treated and sometimes prevented before they even develop; thus, safer apheresis procedures can be performed.