Plasmapheresis; An Experience in Blood Bank of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar

Abstract

ABSTRACT… Objectives:To determine the frequency of major indications require plasmapheresis in blood bank of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Blood bank of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Period: June 2010 to June 2012. Material and methods: Relevant information's were recorded on a pre-designed questionnaire prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Results: A total of 54 patients were enrolled in the trial. 23 (42.59%) were females, and 31(57.41%) were males. Males to females ration was 1.4:1. We received patients for plasmaphersis in age ranging from 15 to 74 years. Majority were young patients in age range 15 to 34 years age. We received majority of the patients for the subject procedure from ICU (Intensive care unit) 20(73%), followed by cardiothoracic unit 17(31.48%). We also receive two volunteers during study. The frequency of various indications for plasmapheresis were; myasthenia gravis 29(53.7%), Guillen barre syndrome 20(37.04%) and thrombocytopenic purpura 3(5.56%). Conclusion. From this study we concluded that that autoimmune diseases are common in younger age which is a very serious concern for our society. Plasmapheresis is a therapeutic procedure as well and patients with autoimmune disorders get relieved with it symptomatically as autoimmune antibodies are removed. Myasthenia gravis was counted as major disease followed by GBS and thrombocytopenic purpura in our population. Key words:Autoimmune disorders, Plasmapheresis, Peshawar.