Analysis of changes in pre- and post-donation hematological parameters among plateletpheresis donors at SKIMS blood bank: A hospital-based study

Abstract

Background: Platelet transfusions are routinely needed as an essential part of treatment for patients undergoing cancer therapy, as well as for those with bleeding disorders, and for patients undergoing open heart surgeries or organ transplantation. Our aim was to compare the pre- and post-plateletpheresis parameters of complete blood counts in healthy voluntary donors and to determine the consequences of plateletpheresis on donor's health. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology, SKIMS, over 1 year with effect from June 2018 to June 2019 after getting clearance from the institutional ethical committee. The study was conducted on 100 randomly selected plateletpheresis donors. After donor has been considered eligible for the procedure as per the national guidelines and departmental standard operating procedure, the details of plateletpheresis were explained to each donor before the procedure, and after filling the donor questionnaire form, informed consent was taken from donor for the procedure. Plateletpheresis was done using Trima Accel Automated Cell Separator. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), platelet counts, mean platelet volume (MPV), and white blood cell (WBC) counts were analyzed both before and after plateletpheresis procedure. Results: A total of 100 donors were subjected for apheresis, all of which were males. 83% of the donors were between the age group of 18 and 40 years while 17% were between the age group of 41 and 58 years. Majority (66%) had a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2, 32% had 25–29.9, and 2% had 30 or higher, with an overall mean BMI of 23.95 kg/m2. The mean platelet count before apheresis was 227 × 103/μl with the range of 161–330 × 103/μl and the mean platelet count after apheresis was 169 × 103/μl with a range of 113–278 × 103/μl; the mean value of platelet count dropped significantly in postdonation. Similarly, the mean Hb level before apheresis was 15.3 g/dl with the range of 12.3–18.2 g/dl and the mean Hb value after apheresis was 14.7 g/dl with the range of 11.2–16.7 g/dl; the mean value of Hb dropped marginally in postdonation. The mean value of Hct concentration before apheresis was 45% with the range of 36.1%–55.1% and the mean value of Hct concentration after apheresis was 42.3% with the range of 37.3%–52.4%; the mean value of Hct dropped slightly in postdonation. There were also slight changes in the WBC counts and MPV value which were not so significant. Conclusion: A donor with significant decrements should be reviewed and screened for future donations to avoid iatrogenic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Donor safety must be ensured throughout the procedures to prevent any unfavorable events, and for the benefit of donors and patients, training modules for the technical personnel, supervision of transfusion specialists, close monitoring, and follow-up of these donors are required.