Abstract
Background: Red cell concentrates (RCC) would be required more in the aging society. Many blood donors usually donate whole blood once or twice a year. It would be useful if they could donate more blood in a single donation.
Objects and methods: Eighteen male donors with ≥58kg were enrolled and donated 3 units of RCC twice with a half year interval by automatic apheresis (RCa) machines (Haemonetics Co.). CCS was used in the first RCa (1-RCa) and Multi in the second RCa (2-RCa). These donors were asked the physical conditions and tested for blood cell counts, s-Fe, s-Ft, TIBC and free EPO during 6 months. The RCC collected was tested for blood volume, Hb, Ht, RBC, WBC, platelets, free Hb, ATP, and 2,3DPG.
Results: The donor's Hb and s-Ft values (mean±SD) before 1-RCa were 15.3±0.8g/dl and 87.2±50.6ng/ml, respectively. Slight citrate reactions were recognized by 5 donors during and feeling tired by other 3 after the procedures, but recovered without medication. The Hb values in both RCa did not decrease to <11g/dl soon after the procedures, and recovered to the previous levels at 3 months. The other laboratory findings except s-Ft changed almost the same in both RCa. The s-Ft values in 1-RCa and 2-RCa compared to their previous levels decreased to 45.8±31.8% (n=17) and 54.5±28.0% after 1month, but reached 61.8±20.2% (n=17) and 77.0±29.5% (n=13) at 6months, respectively. S-Ft levels with ≤12ng/ml were found in 6 donors within normal limits of Hb. Free Hb levels in the RCC collected by Multi were 20.1±10.8mg/dl soon after the procedures.
Conclusion: We consider that 3units of RCC could safely be collected twice a year with a half year interval by RCa, although repeated donations might result in continually lowering s-Ft levels.
