IEP Chandigarh, October 16
A ‘CME cum Workshop on Therapeutic Apheresis and Cellular Therapy’ based on the theme –
‘Expanding Horizons of Therapeutic Apheresis and Cellular Therapy’ was organized by the Department
of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh on 15 th & 16 th October, 2022, in collaboration with The
International Society of Blood Transfusion, (ISBT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands at Lecture Theatre-1,
Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh and it was conducted in a hybrid mode (Physical as well as
Virtual).
The CME on 16 th October, 2022 was inaugurated by Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER,
Chandigarh, the Chief Guest for the event. In his inaugural address, the Director highlighted the role of
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in various neurological disorders and certain other clinical conditions
in improving the patient outcomes. He also shared his experiences regarding the challenges for beginning
the TPE programme at this institute. He also discussed how the approach evolved over the years for
neurological patients requiring TPE. He encouraged the transfusion medicine specialties to work together
with the clinicians as a ‘team’ for better patient care. Dr. Anil Kumar, Additional Deputy Director
General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi was the
Guest of Honor for the programme and he also released the ‘E-Souvenir’ on the occasion. In his address,
he highlighted the role of ‘e-Raktkosh’ portal in integrating the transfusion services across the country.
He also emphasized the role of coordination between transfusion services and clinicians for establishing a
successful therapeutic apheresis programme. Ms. Jenny White, Executive Director, International Society
of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands highlighted the ISBT education initiatives
and resources to improve transfusion safety. Prof. N.K.Mehra, Former Dean Research, AIIMS, New
Delhi discussed the guidelines for stem cell research in India. Dr. David Stroncek, Medical Director
at NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A delivered a talked on CART–T cell Therapy–Manufacturing and
clinical application. Prof. David Mckenna, Department of Lab Medicine and Cellular Therapy,
Minnesota, U.S.A discussed the current status of mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Prof.
R.K.Chaudhary, Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India delivered a
talked on developing guidelines for clinical apheresis. Prof. M.V. Padma Srivastava, Head, Department of
Neurology, AIIMS, New Delhi discussed the role of therapeutic plasma exchange in neurological
disorders: clinical perspective. Prof. Ratti Ram Sharma, Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine,
PGIMER, Chandigarh highlighted the transfusion specialist perspective for performing therapeutic
plasma exchange in neurological disorders. Dr. Raja Ramachanadran, Associate Professor, Department of
Nephrology, PGIMER, Chandigarh talked about the role of therapeutic plasma exchange in renal
disorders: Clinical perspective. Dr. Aseem Kumar Tiwari, Associate Director and Incharge, Department
of Transfusion Medicine, Medanta the Medicity Hospital, Gurugram highlighted the Transfusion
specialist perspective for performing the Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in renal disorders. Dr. Sunil
Taneja, Associate Professor, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh talked about the role of
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in liver disorders: Clinical perspective. Dr. Meenu Bajpai, Professor,
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of liver & Biliary Science (ILBS), New Delhi highlighted
the Transfusion specialist perspective for performing the Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in liver disorders.
Ms. Meenakshi Kaushik, Marketing Manager-India, Transfusion Medicine, Abbott gave a brief overview
of the Abbott Transfusion Health Institute "-Knowledge for Life”.
The workshop on 15 th October, 2022 was academically rewarding with highly interactive sessions. Dr.
Vijay Kumawat, Associate Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine & Haematology, NIMHANS,
Bengaluru discussed the basic principles of therapeutic plasma exchange. Dr. Archana Bajpai,
Additional Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine & Blood Bank, AIIMS, Jodhpur enumerated
about the basic format of ASFA guidelines. Dr. Rekha Hans, Associate Professor, Department of
Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh highlighted the requirements for patient preparation and
stem cell harvesting. Dr. Divjot Singh Lamba, Associate Professor, Dept. of Transfusion Medicine,
PGIMER, Chandigarh discussed the quality control, processing and cryopreservation of stem cells.
Dr. Satya Prakash, Assistant Professor, Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
Bhubaneswar talked about the management of adverse events during apheresis. Dr. Aikaj Jindal,
Consultant and Head of Department, Transfusion Medicine, SPS Hospitals, Ludhiana, Punjab discussed
about the Role of Apheresis Technologist / Nursing Officer. Dr. Satyam Arora, Associate Professor,
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Child Health(PGICH), Noida, UP,
moderated the session dedicated to demonstration of the procedures where Dr. Kshitija Mittal, MD
(Transfusion Medicine), Assistant Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Government Medical
College and Hospital, Chandigarh highlighted the key elements of therapeutic plasma exchange, Dr.
Gopal Patidar, Associate Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi enumerated the TPE with Adsorption columns and Mr. Kiran from M/s
Fresenius Kabi India Pvt Ltd gave a presentation regarding the apheresis machines. Twenty Five
scientific abstracts were submitted by transfusion medicine researchers from the country and seven best
papers were presented as oral presentation and the reaming abstracts were presented as posters by the
authors.
Around 150 delegates from various parts of the country participated in this academic feast and it was well
received by both the transfusion medicine experts and the clinicians. These deliberations will go a long
way in further broadening the scope of therapeutic apheresis in various clinical conditions. The CME-
cum-Workshop ended with concluding remarks by Dr. Ratti Ram Sharma, Prof. and Head, Department of
Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh where he highlighted the importance of therapeutic
apheresis in various clinical conditions for improving patient outcomes and the emerging role of cellular
therapy and its clinical applications.
