Donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation

Abstract

Background Since early 2020, convalescent plasma has been widely used for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). There is limited information regarding donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation. In this study, we evaluated the short‐term donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation. Methods A prospective study of 309 convalescent plasma donation related adverse events were conducted at Wuhan Blood Center of China, from February 12 to April 1, 2020. Additionally, up to 28‐day post‐donation follow‐ups were performed on the donors. Results Sixteen (5.2%) adverse events were reported in 309 donations. All of these were mild vasovagal without loss of consciousness. The frequency of adverse reactions was higher in donors with a per donation volume of >8 mL/kg body weight or ≥ 600 mL, <100 mm Hg in pre‐donation systolic blood pressure, or less than 28 days from the onset of COVID‐19 symptoms. There was no correlation to donation history, weight, sex, ABO blood type, pre‐donation diastolic blood pressure, pulse, or hemoglobin. Conclusion The donation of convalescent plasma is generally safe. Mitigation of risk factors associated with adverse events can further enhance donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation.

Comment on “Donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation”

“…In 15 cases it was a mild vasovagal reaction (VVR) that did not require therapeutic intervention, while in 2 cases, vasovagal syncope (VVS) occurred, which resulted in discontinuation of donation. It is therefore a higher percentage than that obtained in the study by He et al, 1 where AEs occurred in 10 out of 181 donations from first-time donors (which translates to 5.52%). Therefore, we have made an attempt to explain and discuss possible reasons for these discrepancies.…”

“…Dear Editor, We have recently read with interest the work of He et al 1 "Donor tolerability of convalescent plasma donation" where authors presented a prospective study involving convalescent plasma (CCP) donors and related adverse events (AEs). The authors' research prompted us to conduct a retrospective analysis of the frequency of AEs in CCP donors population.…”

“…It seems to us that at the outset, important aspects related to the parameters of the plasmapheresis procedure itself should be emphasized. First of all, plasma was donated by centrifugation using the DigiPla80 device (Nigale, China), and therefore identical to that presented by He et al, 1 which facilitated the comparative analysis of both studies. Secondly, the range of plasma volume collected from convalescents, calculated on the basis of body weight and height, as presented in the European Commission's Guide, 2 is 500-750 mL, compared to 200-600 mL in the study by He et al 1 Finally, in our facility, for plasmapheresis, the default value for blood flow during the draw phase is 100 mL/min.…”

“…First of all, plasma was donated by centrifugation using the DigiPla80 device (Nigale, China), and therefore identical to that presented by He et al, 1 which facilitated the comparative analysis of both studies. Secondly, the range of plasma volume collected from convalescents, calculated on the basis of body weight and height, as presented in the European Commission's Guide, 2 is 500-750 mL, compared to 200-600 mL in the study by He et al 1 Finally, in our facility, for plasmapheresis, the default value for blood flow during the draw phase is 100 mL/min. However, as there is no information on the blood flow rate in the study by He et al, 1 it is not possible to unequivocally determine the influence of this factor on the incidence of AE.…”

We stand ready … Blood collection organizations and the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…There was no correlation with donation history, weight, sex, ABO blood type, pre-donation diastolic blood pressure, pulse, or hemoglobin level. 14 This manuscript is a welcome addition to the many multifaceted manuscripts related to COVID-19 already published in TRANSFUSION over the past year: from how to establish a program 15,16 to donor studies, [17][18][19][20] to transfusion optimization, [21][22][23] to CCP. 24,25 The collection and distribution of CCP ramped up steadily, peaking in December 2020 and January 2021, before starting to decline in February 2021 (Figure 2).…”