Efficacy of Fenwal Amicus blood cell separator in double dose platelet collection

BackgroundThe aim of this retrospective study was to document our double dose platelet collection experience using the Fenwal Amicus (version 2.51) continuous flow apheresis device and to obtain information on the donors selected for this device.Materials and methodsBetween January and December 2004, double dose collection procedures were performed on a total of 479 donors (474 male and 5 female). Donors with a pre-procedure platelet count ⩾225 × 109 L−1 and body weight of ⩾63 kg were directed to the Fenwal Amicus for double dose platelet collection (>6.0 × 1011).ResultMore than 500 procedures were performed. Four hundred and seventy-nine procedures were included in this evaluation. 21 procedures were not included either because the procedures were not completed due to a donor reaction or lack of data. In 289 of 479 (60.3%) donors, double dose collection was achieved. The average leukocyte contamination was 0.31 × 106 in 22 randomly selected products.ConclusionsThe cost of platelet apheresis can be reduced by directing donors with high pre-platelet counts to suitable double dose collection devices in blood centers.