A new apheresis procedure for the preparation of high-quality red cells and plasma

BACKGROUND: Multicomponent apheresis is an alternative way of preparing blo od components that avoids the delay between collection and separation seen with standard whole-blood techniques. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An apheresis device has been modified to facilita te the combined collection of a unit (250 mt) of red cells (RBCs) and a hig h-volume unit (475 mt) of plasma. The procedure, using 8-percent ACD-A, has been tested in two European blood centers. Each center performed 20 proced ures for in vitro evaluation of collected RBCs and plasma and 10 procedures for evaluation of in vivo RBC recovery. All RBCs were white cell reduced b y filtration. One-half of the RBC units were stored in the additive solutio n Adsol and one-half in another such solution (Erythro-Sol). RESULTS: The target volumes of RBCs and plasma were obtained in 27 minutes (range, 20-44 min) by using three to six cycles in a single-needle procedur e. Saline (275 mt) was used to replace fluid volume withdrawn in excess of standard whole-blood donation. No side ef effects occurred, with the except ion of minor signs of hypocalcemia. RBC ATP was well maintained (>65% at Da y 42) during storage; 2,3-DPG was less well maintained, with virtually none remaining at Day 21 in either Adsol or Erythro-Sol. The RBC in vivo recove ries, after 42 days of storage at 4 +/- 2 degrees C determined by the singl e-label method, were 86.7 +/- 7.2 percent (Erythro-Sol) and 84.4 +/- 8.1 pe rcent (Adsol). Mean plasma factor VIII levels were >100 percent in all test groups. CONCLUSION: A novel automated technique for the simultaneous collection and preparation of RBCs and plasma has been evaluated. The apheresis procedure was acceptable and well tolerated by donors, and it resulted in high-quali ty blood components. Further optimization of the system should yield a prac ticable component suitable for routine use in blood banks.