Purpose: Thrombopheresis procedures have been recently expanded with the development or different programmes. Taking into account that this reasonably safe procedure is not devoid of complications, it would be desirable to select those individuals with lower risk of suffering adverse side effects as donors. The thrombopheresis procedures performed in our hospital between 1986 and 1997 were analysed in order to establish the useful guidelines for such selection.
Material and methods: All the thrombopheresis procedures performed in the Asturias Central Hospital blood bank in the 1986-1987 period were analysed. The first procedure per donor, along with all data referred to adverse effects appearing during thrombopheresis, were collected. Sex, age, body, weight, blood cells count (before and after thrombopheresis) and serum calcium levels (before and after thrombopheresis) were taken as variables with predictive value for adverse effects. With regard to the procedure, the model of cell separator, the duration of the procedure, the amount and type of anticoagulant solution and the prophylactic use of calcium ions were assessed.
Results: A total number of 1,024 thrombophereses were analysed. Some types of adverse effect were seen in 259 instances (25.3%). Of these, 70.3%, were mild, 29.3% moderate and 0.4% severe. The commonest adverse effect was perioral paraesthesia. Of the different variables studied, female sex and low weight acquired predictive value with respect to the occurrence of adverse effects. Prophylactic administration of calcium did not prevent the appearance of complications.
Conclusions: The thrombopheresis procedures may present adverse side effects in a high percentage of cases, which, although mostly mild, require specialised personnel for identification and management. Males weighing over 70 kg are less prone to suffer such effects. Oral administration of calcium before the apheresis does not prevent the adverse reactions.