Changes in pre and post donation platelet indices and serum ionized calcium levels in plateletpheresis donors

Background: Apheresis is a procedure where blood is withdrawn from donor or a patient in anticoagulant solution and separated ex vivo into one or all components using automated cell separators. Single donor platelets (SDP) are prepared by plateletpheresis machine. In this, blood is withdrawn from a single donor and then the platelets are retained and remaining constituents are returned to donor.. SDP concentrate increases platelet count by 30,000 to 40,000/µL. Methods: The present study was conducted prospectively in the Department of Pathology in collaboration with Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion Department and Department of Biochemistry, Pt. B.D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak in 78 healthy plateletpheresis donors over a period of one year. All donors were male. Results: We observed statistically significant decrease in pre and post donation platelets (p value= 0.001), hemoglobin and hematocrit. A statistically significant increase was noted in pre and post donation PDW (p value=0.001). The decrease in serum ionized calcium levels before start of procedure, during and 30mins after the procedure were statistically significant (p value= 0.001, 0.001 and 0.04 respectively).However, non significant increase was noted in pre and post donation MPV and WBC values and decrease in RBC values. The adverse reactions were noted in 7.69% (6) donors which were due to anticoagulant used and managed conservatively by giving oral calcium tablet to donor. Conclusion: Plateletpheresis is a safe procedure for donors. The study concluded that appropriate counselling and selection of plateletpheresis donors should be done. Also, close monitoring and follow up of donors should be carried out to prevent any unfavourable event.