Automated Collection of Leukoreduced Double Red Blood Cell Units using an Alyx Apheresis Device

Background: Automated collection of leukoreduced double red blood cell (RBC) units has been used to improve blood collection efficiency in many countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate leukoreduced double RBC unit collection using apheresis and to determine its clinical uses. Methods: Automated leukoreduced double RBC units were collected from 17 healthy male volunteers using an Alyx apheresis device (Baxter, DeerWeld, IL). Our institutional criteria for male donors were as follows: height ≥170 cm, weight ≥70 kg, and hemoglobin ≥14.5 g/dL. Each donor's complete blood count (CBC) was determined before and after the apheresis procedure. In order to validate the final leukoreduced double RBC units, white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured manually using a Nageotte chamber. Results: Leukoreduced double RBC units were collected in an average of 27±7 min, without specific donor reactions. The average volume of one unit of leukoreduced RBCs was 281±6 mL. Each donor's hemoglobin (P＜0.001) and hematocrit (P＜0.001) were significantly lower after donation, though WBC and platelet counts were no different. No residual WBCs were found in the leukoreduced, filtered product upon Nageotte chamber counting. Twenty-eight units of leukoreduced RBCs from 14 donors were transfused to patients who required leukoreduced RBCs, without specific transfusion reactions. Conclusion: The Alyx apheresis device allowed for safe and effective collection of leukoreduced double RBC units from a single donor. Automatically collected leukoreduced double RBC units were transfused to patients for the first time in Korea.