RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Automated collection of blood components with a cell separator (MCS 3p, Haemonetics), was performed according to three protocols. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The first protocol provided 2 units of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP); and one buffy coat-poor red cell (RBC) concentrate in additive solution. The second protocol included an additional in-line filtration of the RBC in a closed system after storage at 4 degrees C for 24 hours. In the third protocol, an additional platelet concentrate (PC) was recovered from the buffy coat. Cell counts and biochemical characterization of the RBCs (n = 20 each) were determined on Days 0, 1, 14, 28, and 49. RESULTS: The RBC volume was 336 +/- 9 mL (first protocol), 337 +/- 7 mL (second protocol) and 293 +/- 12 mL (third protocol) with a hematocrit of 59 +/- 2, 53 +/- 3, and 61 +/- 5, percent respectively. On Day 49, hemolysis was 0.24 +/- 0.1 percent (first protocol), 0.33 +/- 0.32 percent (second protocol), and 0.38 +/- 0.1 percent (third protocol). The filtered RBC concentrate met the international standards for white cell-reduced RBCs. Filtration resulted in a clinically irrelevant increase of hemolysis. The in vitro RBC values (lactate dehydrogenase, 2-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, hemolysis, potassium, 2,3 DPG, ATP) were at least equal to those in RBCs collected by conventional whole-blood donation. There is a trend toward extended preservation of 2,3 DPG in RBCs collected by apheresis. Two units of FFP could be collected with each donation (first protocol: 420 +/- 55 mL, 5.4 +/- 7 WBCs/microL, 6.5 +/- 5 x 10(3) platelets/microL; second protocol: 440 +/- 33 mL, 3 +/- 5.2 WBCs/microL, 32 +/- 12 x 10(3) platelets/microL; third protocol: 398 +/- 32 mL, 5 +/- 12 WBCs/microL; 3.4 +/- 3.5 x 10(3) platelets/microL). PCs prepared from the buffy coat collected by the third protocol contained 90 +/- 30 x 10(9) platelets in 88 +/- 14 mL of plasma. In vitro test results in these PCs were superior to those in PCs collected by conventional whole-blood donation. The procedure was well tolerated by all donors. No adverse reactions appeared. CONCLUSION: Erythroplasmapheresis with the MCS 3p cell separator is a useful alternative to conventional whole-blood donation and separation.