UK national survey of anticoagulation in extra-corporeal photopheresis-Is it time for a UK consensus statement?

BACKGROUND Extra-corporeal photopheresis (ECP) requires anticoagulation to prevent circuit clotting. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is currently the only anticoagulant licensed for the ECP system in use in the United Kingdom (UK). Acid citrate dextrose-A (ACD-A) is the preferred anticoagulant for most other apheresis procedures. Anecdotal evidence suggested variability in ECP practice across the UK with some providers using off-label ACD-A. AIMS We developed a survey together with the UK Photopheresis Society to establish current practice. MATERIALS & METHODS This was distributed to all 17 ECP providers covering 34 UK sites. RESULTS Significant variability in practice was demonstrated with only 36% of responding providers (5/14) using UFH exclusively and 29% (4/14) using ACD-A as standard. CONCLUSION This survey highlights the need for a UK consensus.