Venesection for idiopathic and secondary erythrocytosis

The evidence for meaningful benefit of venesection in patients with idiopathic and secondary erythrocytosis is extremely scanty. We understand that practice is highly heterogeneous with some clinicians advocating venesection to maintain haematocrit <0.55 for example, and others not venesecting at all.

This project aimed to 1) understand the variations in practice and the reasons for this, 2) gather retrospective, observational data on the outcomes of patients who are venesected vs not venesected, and 3) work towards a randomised controlled trial.

Publication
Venesection and resolution of erythrocytosis are not associated with reduced thrombotic risk in secondary and idiopathic polycythaemia: Results from a dual centre, 5-year retrospective study
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjh.20235

Contact: p.nicolson@bham.ac.uk