Evaluation of the Haemonetics V50 – Time Saver Protocol

Abstract

196 plateletapheresis procedures using the cell separator Haemonetics V 50 were performed applying 8 cycles under varying conditions. The anticoagulant ACD-A was used in a whole-blood to anticoagulant ratio of 8:1. The flow rate was selected for a range of 40-70 ml/min and the centrifuge speed was established at 4,800 and 4,400 rpm. The PWC factor was chosen between 0 and 4. 162 procedures could be statistically evaluated. 34 aphereses were accompanied with technical complications. The mean yield was (4.3 ± 1.05) × 10¹¹ platelets, and the average of extraction efficiency (EE) was 53.9 ± 8.2 %. An analysis of variance confirmed that a higher flow rate decreased the EE (p < 0.002) and also the leukocyte counts (p < 0.0005). Increasing the PWC factor led to a higher EE; however, the leukocyte counts of the platelet concentrate were also increased (p < 0.0005). The g force has an essential effect. A high g force of the centrifuge permits to obtain a large quantity of platelets which is combined with a higher leukocyte contamination, Decreasing the centrifuge speed to 4,400 rpm by using PWC factors of 0 and 4 with different flow rates (50 and 60 ml/min) decreased the EE and the leukocyte counts in the product.