Procedure-related complications and adverse events associated with pediatric autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection

Introduction: Autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell collection (A-HPCC) in pediatric patients is considered relatively safe although technically challenging. Very little is known regarding the incidence, risk factors and impact of procedure-related adverse events (AE) on pediatric A-HPCC outcomes. Methods: Prospective 4.5-year review of AE associated with pediatric A-HPCC. AE were graded by severity and type. Potential demographic and procedural risk factors, and the impact on product quality, were compared by t-test, chi-square, and linear regression. Results: Sixty-two children underwent 110 A-HPCC, including 36 (58%) under 20 kg. Fifty-five AE were documented in 25.4% A-HPCCs and 39% of children (citrate 25%, access 19%, technical 11%, cardiovascular 0%, allergic 1.8%). No AE were noted in children < 10 kg anticoagulated with heparin. Access and technical AE accounted for 73% of severe AE, with line-related problems underlying most technical AE (87.5%, P = 0.006). AE were more likely in older (P = 0.012), heavier patients (P = 0.02), who frequently required more than one A-HPCC (P = 0.012). In contrast, young children were more likely to experience citrate AE with gastrointestinal symptoms (median age, 6 years; P = 0.076). AE had no impact on CD34 collection rates; however, mean CD34 yields (4.2 vs. 20.4 million/kg; P = 0.0035) were decreased in patients with technical AE due to lower peripheral CD34 counts and a high number of aborted procedures (37%). Conclusion: Venous access and flow-related issues are a major factor associated with moderate and severe AE, effecting ∼10% of patients. AE are more frequent with increasing patient age, weight, and number of procedures. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:35–48, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.