Iron Overload

Side effects of automated red blood cell exchange (RBCX) may include: 
Anxiety, headache, light-headedness, digital and/or facial paresthesia (tingling sensation in the arms, hands, feet, legs, or face), fever, chills, hematoma, hyperventilation, nausea and vomiting, syncope (fainting), urticaria (hives), hypotension, allergic reactions, infection, hemolysis, thrombosis in patient and device, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, coagulopathy, fatigue, hypomagnesemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, adverse tissue reaction, device failure/disposable set failure, air embolism, blood loss/anemia, electrical shock, fluid imbalance, and inadequate separation of blood components.⁵ 
 
Contraindications 
Automated RBCX may not be an option for all patients with sickle cell disease. Talk to your physician about your transfusion options. Contraindications for the use of apheresis systems are limited to those associated with the infusion of solutions and replacement fluids as required by the apheresis procedure and those associated with all types of automated apheresis systems. 
 
Reactions to blood products transfused during procedures can include: 
Hemolytic transfusion reaction, immune-mediated platelet destruction, fever, allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), alloimmunization, posttransfusion purpura (PTP), transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), circulatory overload, hypothermia, metabolic complications, and transmission of infectious diseases and bacteria.⁶˒⁷ 

Restricted to prescription use only. 
Operators must be familiar with the system’s operating instructions.
Procedures must be performed by qualified medical personnel.