Automated blood component collection with the MCS 3p cell separator: evaluation of three protocols for buffy coat‐poor and white cell‐ reduced packed red cells and plasma

Abstract

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 × 10(3) platelets/microL; second protocol: 440 +/− 33 mL, 3 +/− 5.2 WBCs/microL, 32 +/− 12 × 10(3) platelets/microL; third protocol: 398 +/− 32 mL, 5 +/− 12 WBCs/microL; 3.4 +/− 3.5 × 10(3) platelets/microL). PCs prepared from the buffy coat collected by the third protocol contained 90 +/− 30 × 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.