Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy (from the Greek words phlebo-, meaning "pertaining to a blood vessel", and-tomy, meaning "to make an incision") is the process of making an incision in a vein with a needle. The procedure itself is known as a venipuncture.
Polycythemia vera
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a bone marrow disorder in which the body produces an excessive amount of red blood cells.
What are my treatment options for polycythemia vera?
What can you do to manage polycythemia vera?
- Blood withdrawals. The most common treatment for polychythemia vera is having frequent blood withdrawals, using a needle…
- Treatments to reduce itching. If you have bothersome itching, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as…
- Drugs that reduce the number of red blood cells. If phlebotomy alone doesn’t help enough, your doctor may suggest…
What do you recommend for polycythemia vera?
You may need modifications if you have:
- A kidney stone: Avoid foods high in oxalate. 3
- A gastrointestinal ulcer: Avoid foods and drinks that irritate the ulcer. 5
- Gout: Avoid foods high in purine.
What treatments are available for polycythemia?
What Are the Treatments for Polycythemia Vera?
- Phlebotomy. This is the main PV treatment. ...
- Medicines. After your red blood cell level drops, you'll take one of these prescription drugs to slow the production of new red blood cells in your bone marrow.
- Radiation Therapy. ...
- To Feel Better During Treatment. ...
How do I treat polycythemia vera?
[1] If you have polycythemia vera, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Things like aspirin and prescription medication can help you manage symptoms. You can also treat symptoms at home by staying hydrated and avoiding extreme temperatures.
Why is phlebotomy done in polycythemia?
Phlebotomy (bloodletting) has long been the mainstay of therapy for polycythemia vera (PV). The object is to remove excess cellular elements, mainly red blood cells, to improve the circulation of blood by lowering the blood viscosity.
What is the purpose of therapeutic phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy (therapeutic bleeding) is a controlled removal of a large volume (usually a pint or more) of blood. It is used mainly to reduce blood volume, red cell mass and iron stores.
How often do you need phlebotomy for polycythemia vera?
How often will you get phlebotomy for polycythemia vera (PV)? You'll get this treatment once a week or month until your hematocrit goes down to around 45%. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells compared with the total amount of blood.
Is phlebotomy necessary for secondary polycythemia?
Phlebotomy should be performed in any patient with secondary polycythemia prior to any elective surgery. In patients with physiologically appropriate erythrocytosis, as the increased red cell mass is a compensatory mechanism of the body, phlebotomy should not be performed in order to maintain proper tissue oxygenation.
What two conditions require a therapeutic phlebotomy?
There are currently three major indications for therapeutic phlebotomy: hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera, and porphyria cutanea tarda. Other indications include sickle cell disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with hyperferritinemia.
Will I feel better after phlebotomy?
After it's done, your blood will be thinner and flow better. You'll usually feel better, too. Some symptoms will get better, such as headaches or dizziness. Your doctor will decide how often you need phlebotomy.
How will I feel after a phlebotomy?
What To Expect. Some people feel tired or dizzy after phlebotomy. You might get relief from these symptoms by resting for the next 24 hours and drinking plenty of fluids. You may want to have a family member or friend take you home after the procedure.
What hemoglobin level requires phlebotomy?
Iron Disorders Institute Advisory Board recommends against phlebotomy (with few exceptions) for patients whose hemoglobin is lower than 12.5g/dL.
Does phlebotomy increase platelets?
Phlebotomy may be the only treatment necessary for some people, for many years. However, this procedure does not treat elevated platelet levels (thrombocythemia), elevated white blood cell levels (leukocytosis), itchy skin or gout. In some cases, phlebotomy may contribute to elevated platelet levels.
How much does phlebotomy lower hematocrit?
The volume of phlebotomy remained a strong predictor of drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit after adjusting for other predictors using multivariate analysis (P<. 0001). On average, every 100 mL of phlebotomy was associated with a decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit of 7.0 g/L and 1.9%, respectively.
What is the difference between polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia?
Secondary polycythemia is defined as an absolute increase in red blood cell mass that is caused by enhanced stimulation of red blood cell production. In contrast, polycythemia vera is characterized by bone marrow with an inherent increased proliferative activity.
How much blood is therapeutic phlebotomy?
Blood may be collected in a bag or in syringes. Typically, in adults, a pint of blood (450 - 500 mL) is removed at a time. 1 The frequency of phlebotomy will vary based on your medical condition and laboratory values.
What is the purpose of phlebotomy for PV?
Phlebotomy is also aimed at decreasing the severity of PV symptoms.
How does phlebotomy help with red blood cells?
In PV, phlebotomy reduces the number of excess red blood cells by decreasing overall blood volume. While frequency will vary from person to person, people with PV will generally need to have the procedure performed regularly, as red blood cells begin to build up again.
What is PV treatment?
Phlebotomy is typically the first-line treatment for polycythemia vera (PV), and nearly all people with a new diagnosis receive it initially to reduce the risk of complications from the disease. PV is a form of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. The excess cells clump together, thicken the ...
How to avoid dizziness after phlebotomy?
To prevent this, stay hydrated by drinking about eight glasses of water the day prior to the procedure. After the procedure, continue to drink the same amount of fluids for a day or two.
Can you get phlebotomy for PV?
Phlebotomy is typically appropriate for anybody who has PV, Dr. Kuykendall noted. In fact, he said, treatment with phlebotomy may start as soon as the diagnosis is made. “Virtually everyone with polycythemia vera will get phlebotomies as part of their treatment plan,” he said. “When people get diagnosed, we're talking about hematocrits ...
Is phlebotomy a one and done procedure?
Phlebotomy is not a one-and-done proposition, so people with PV will typically need to have the procedure performed on an ongoing basis. The frequency of the treatment depends on the person receiving it.
Is phlebotomy considered a standard of care?
While the procedure, also referred to as bloodletting, may be associated in some people's minds with old-fashioned medicine, people prescribed phlebotomy should not worry. The method has minor side effects, and it is considered the standard of care for people living with PV.
What is the treatment for polycythemia vera?
ANSWER. A phlebotomy is often the first treatment for polycythemia vera. During this therapy, your doctor removes blood from your vein. It's a lot like donating blood. The goal is to lower the number of your blood cells. After it's done, your blood will be thinner and flow better. You'll usually feel better, too.
Is polycythemia vera a substitute for medical advice?
From: Polycythemia Vera. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health.
How to get rid of polycythemia vera?
You can take steps to help yourself feel better if you've been diagnosed with polycythemia vera. Try to: Exercise. Moderate exercise, such as walking, can improve your blood flow. This helps decrease your risk of blood clots. Leg and ankle stretches and exercises also can improve your blood circulation. Avoid tobacco.
What does polycythemia vera mean in blood tests?
If you have polycythemia vera, blood tests might reveal: More red blood cells than normal and, sometimes, an increase in platelets or white blood cells. A greater percentage of red blood cells that make up total blood volume (hematocrit measurement) Elevated levels of the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen (hemoglobin)
What does a blood test show for polycythemia?
Blood tests. If you have polycythemia vera, blood tests might reveal: More red blood cells than normal and, sometimes, an increase in platelets or white blood cells. A greater percentage of red blood cells that make up total blood volume (hematocrit measurement) Elevated levels of the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen ...
