Comparison of plateletpheresis using two cell separators and identical donors.

For prospective comparison of product yield and volume, collection efficiency, white cell (WBC) and red cell (RBC) contamination, donor acceptability, and staff acceptance, each of 31 donors underwent plateletpheresis on two different cell separators (the Fenwal CS-3000 and the COBE Spectra). The same operator performed the paired procedures and collected all study data. The instruments provided equivalent high-yield platelet products (CS-3000: 5.3 × 1011; Spectra: 5.7 × 1011). Platelet collection efficiency was greater with the Spectra (81%) than with the CS-3000 (57%) (p<0.0005). All products contained less than 1 mL of RBCs, but the Spectra products were more likely to contain <106 WBCs (14/31) than those of the CS-3000 (1/31) (p<0.001). In the remaining products, the mean WBC contamination was 1.0 × 108 for the CS-3000 and 0.03 × 108 for the Spectra (p<0.001). More ACD-A anticoagulant was infused with Spectra (463 mL) than with CS-3000 procedures (400 mL) (p = 0.002). Although postdonation ionized calcium (Ca2+) levels and the percentage of decrease in Ca2+ were not significantly different between groups, more Spectra donors experienced symptoms of hypocalcemia (20/31 vs 9/31; p = 0.015). CS-3000 products had lower mean volumes (217 mL) than Spectra collections (300 mL) (p<0.0005). Both instruments were accepted well by volunteer donors and the technical staff.