A pilot study of large volume apheresis of red blood cells and plasma during one donation by allogeneic blood donors

As a pilot study, we assessed large volume apheresis of red blood cells (RB C) and plasma. The protocol was as follows: (a) 3-RBC group: 3 units (240 m l) of RBC were drawn, (b) RBC + P group: 2 units (160 ml) of RBC and 400 ml of plasma were drawn during one apheresis procedure, and (c) Control group : 400 mi of whole blood was drawn by a manual method. Each group contained 7 healthy male donors of body weight 54-65 kg. We were able to perform thes e apheresis procedures without serious complications. Recovery of RBC for t he donors of the 3-RBC group was delayed, but the level returned to the pre -donation level within nine weeks. The decreased total protein and albumin in the RBC+P group recovered within one week. The apheresed RBCs demonstrat ed the same quality as the manually collected RBC. These findings suggest t hat this apheresis approach may be applicable for routine donation. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.