Impact of plasmapheresis on platelet hemostatic capacity in healthy voluntary blood donors detected by the platelet function analyzer PFA-100 (TM)

Previous flow cytometry studies showed that platelet activation may occur d uring cytapheresis, cardiopulmonary bypass and hemodialysis. The aim of thi s pilot study was to determine if the impact of plasmapheresis leads to alt erations in platelet hemostatic capacity. Plasmapheresis was carried out in 30 volunteers using an Autopherese C(TM) (Baxter) and an MCS3p(TM) (Haemon etics). Blood samples were collected and analyzed immediately before and af ter plasmapheresis, As a result of the plasmapheresis on the Autopherese C( TM), the mean closure time (CT) for collagen/epinephrine (Col/Epi) increase d from 118.2 +/- 25.1 to 149.9 +/- 35.0 s and from 88.7 +/- 16.9 to 98.5 +/ - 26.3 s for collagen/ADP (Col/ADP), respectively. Seven subjects showed im paired CTs after plasmapheresis for Col/Epi. For Col/ADP, five subjects sho wed impaired CTs after apheresis, Statistical analysis (McNemar test) showe d a significant difference before and after apheresis for Col/Epi (P = 0.02 4) but not for Col/ADP (P = 0.088). Similar results were shown for plasmaph eresis carried out with the MCS3p(TM). These findings show that plasmaphere sis can cause an impairment of platelet function in healthy volunteers as m easured by the PFA-100(TM), an effect of so far unknown clinical significan ce.