Contemporary Therapeutic Possibilities in Polyglobulia

Overview

The author describes comprehensively the definition, terminology, classification of polyglobuliaand pathological conditions which lead to the proliferation of erythrocytes and their clinicalsymptomatology. He describes also haemorheological changes associated with polyglobuliafocused on increased viscosity of the blood, increased aggregation of red cells and theirconsequences for the patient’s clinical conditions. In different conditions basic therapeuticapproaches are described and contemporary therapeutic methods which lower the packed cellvolume, focused on cytodepletion erythrocytapheresis, their advantages and disadvantages. Atthe same time the author discusses indications, contraindications and possible adverse effectsof therapeutic methods. In the conclusion he gives a brief account of erythrocytapheresesimplemented at the Blood Centre of the Ostrava Faculty Hospital in patients with differentdiagnoses.

Key words:
polyglobulia - haemorheological changes - treatment - erythrocytapheresis.