Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become a mainstay of treatment for acute and chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The efficacy and safety of Privigen, a new, ready-to-use, 10% liquid human IgG formulation, was evaluated in this open-label, multicentre study. Privigen infusions (1 g/kg per day for 2 consecutive days, days 1 and 2) were given to 57 adolescent and adult patients with chronic ITP and platelet counts < or =20 x 10(9)/l. By day 7, 80.7% of patients (95% CI, 69.2, 89.3) achieved platelet counts of > or =50 x 10(9)/l. Correspondingly, haemorrhage number and severity were significantly reduced. Adverse events were generally mild or moderate and typical of underlying disease and IVIG treatment. Privigen was well tolerated - 104 of 114 infusions were performed at the maximum permitted infusion rate (4 mg/kg/min). Thus, in patients with chronic ITP, a two-day regimen of Privigen was effective in increasing platelet count, reducing bleeding events and was well tolerated.

IVIG-N is efficacious, well tolerated and safe in patients with ITP and PID. Its pharmacokinetic properties were comparable to those of Sandoglobulin.

We recommend that all suspected cases of hereditary angio-oedema are reviewed, that specialist advice is sought before making the diagnosis and that the diagnosis is only made after initial abnormal serology is confirmed on a second sample.

Summary. Seventeen patients (aged 50-85 years) with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, 10 patients) or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL, seven patients) were treated with a combination of fludarabine 25 mg/m 2 /d and cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m 2

The aim of this study was to assess the performance in terms of red cell damage of two peristaltic volumetric infusion pumps - the Alaris IVAC 572 (San Diego, CA, USA) and Arcomed Volumed VP7000 (Regensdorf, Switzerland). Various infusion pumps are available to transfuse blood at a predetermined rate. It is recommended that each machine should be individually assessed. This experiment used six units of single-donor-transfusable packed red cells and ran each unit through both pumps. This was carried out at 9, 28 and 35 days post-donation at rates from 2 to 150 mL h(-1). Post-pumping samples from these experiments, and a pre-pumping sample in each case, were analysed for levels of potassium and free haemoglobin (Hb). They were also examined microscopically for evidence of cell damage. Potassium levels showed no significant change with pumping on any occasion, but rose significantly as the samples aged. Free Hb showed some variation, but the only consistent finding was a similar rise in value with increasing pack age. Microscopic examination revealed no cell damage under any condition. Both pumps performed to an acceptable level and appear safe to be used for red cell transfusion.