Multicomponent collection (MCC) with the latest hemapheresis apparatuses

Background: Collection of multiple products including plasma, packed red bl ood cells (PBRC) and double units of platelets, is increasingly improving d onor utilisation and decreasing blood transfusion costs. Total apheresis is the new trend in blood banking and both industry and physicians are progre ssively expanding their involvement in this field. During 1998, at our hema pheresis unit, we used three new apparatuses for multicomponent collection (MCC). These apparatuses vary in terms of principle, operation and specific capabilities, and thus knowledge of them is essential to match their chara cteristics with plateletapheresis needs. Study design: We reviewed all MCCs carried out in 1998 with MCS+, Trima and Excel-Pro cell separators. These apparatuses were evaluated in terms of pl atelet yield, white blood cell (WBC) contamination, efficiency per minute, platelet activation, and PBRC product quality. Results: The three machines are compared in the following table [GRAPHICS] Conclusions: MCC with the new apparatuses is well accepted by donors and pe rsonnel. There are no risks for the donors and, excluding ACD reactions and /or vaso/vagal attacks at the beginning of procedures, no severe reaction w as seen. The qualify and quantity of platelet products are good. When PRBC or a second platelets unit are collected, the cost of the kit is covered by this double product.