Multicomponent collection (MCC) with the latest hemapheresis apparatuses.
BACKGROUND
Collection of multiple products including plasma, packed red blood cells (PBRC) and double units of platelets, is increasingly improving donor utilisation and decreasing blood transfusion costs. Total apheresis is the new trend in blood banking and both industry and physicians are progressively expanding their involvement in this field. During 1998, at our hemapheresis 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 characteristics with plateletapheresis needs.


METHODS
We reviewed all MCCs carried out in 1998 with MCS+, Trima and Excel-Pro cell separators. These apparatuses were evaluated in terms of platelet 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 [table in text].


CONCLUSIONS
MCC with the new apparatuses is well accepted by donors and personnel. There are no risks for the donors and, excluding ACD reactions and/or vaso/vagal attacks at the beginning of procedures, no severe reaction was seen. The quality 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.
Valbonesi
M
M
Immunohematology Service, San Martino University Hospital, Genova, Italy.
Florio
G
G
Ruzzenenti
M R
MR
Bo
A
A
Bruni
R
R
Giannini
G
G
Morelli
F
F
D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D010983:Plateletpheresis / Q000295:instrumentation