Pre-Transplant: Aphaeresis Line

Shortly after signing the release forms you will have an Aphaeresis line installed in your chest.  Mine was installed the very next day.  This is also called a Hickman line, and is what Kidney Dialysis patients use.  The procedure only takes about 30 minutes to complete, although it may be longer when you count the prep and wait time.  It is done under out-patient status and the only pre-installation instructions are no food or water from midnight on the day of the procedure.  The bandaging used should be left on for four days following this procedure.


A local Lidocaine anesthesia is used to numb a spot on your chest and neck.  The Aphaeresis line is fed through an incision in your chest and up to the artery in your neck.  Two, four-inch plastic ports are left outside your body on your chest, secured by two to four stitches.  They must be cleaned and flushed daily. You will be given materials and training to do this yourself when necessary, although when you’re in the hospital a nurse will do it for you.  These ports will be used for administering all liquid meds and fluids during your hospital stay, as well as for infusing your thawed stem cells during the transplant.  The most important reason for its installation, however, is for harvesting your stem cells.  This topic will be covered at the end of this page.



Even though the two external ports are very light, you may feel a tugging sensation along your chest and neck, especially when you stand up from a sitting or lying position.  Strangely enough just about the time you become acclimated to this sensation, you’ll likely be ready to have the line removed.  This removal will take place a few weeks post-transplant, and is covered in the Post-Transplant Issues page.



The Aphaeresis line is installed in the patients of both stem cell and bone marrow transplants.  Additionally it is installed in your donor if you have one.

Aphaeresis Line – Teri	Type	Rating	Duration
Lidocaine numbing	Two Sharp Stings	2	20 sec.
Wait time	None	0	10-15 min.
Two small incisions	Tugging	1	1 min.
Line installation + Stitches	Tugging	1	5 min.

Aphaeresis Line –	Type	Rating	Duration
Lidocaine numbing
Wait time
Two small incisions
Line installation + Stitches