Platelet Dysfunction in Blood Donors Detected by Platelet Function Analyzer PFA-100™

Abstract

BackgroundPlatelet transfusions may be indicated to prevent and treat bleeding in patients with quantitative or qualitative platelet defects. Millions of platelet components are transfused worldwide. It is well known that platelet dysfunction predicts blood loss after surgery. Hence, the quality of the platelet donation and the resulting platelet concentrate are critical for the transfusion. The aim of this study is to assess platelet function in well-qualified blood donors. MethodologyBlood samples from 275 blood donors were collected in 0.129 M (3.8%) sodium citrate tubes prior to routine blood donation. Platelet function was assessed by measuring the closure time (CT) on the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100™; Siemens Health Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany) using collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) and collagen/ADP (CDP) cartridges. ResultsUsing the PFA-100™, 20.4% of donors had an abnormal platelet function test, of whom 9.4% had prolonged CT with two cartridges, 7% had only prolonged CEPI CTs consistent with aspirin-like defect, and 4% had prolonged CADP CTs only. We found no closure (>300 seconds) in 6.54% of donors, including 1.45% with the CEPI cartridge, 2.9% with the CADP cartridge, and 2.18% with CEPI and CADP cartridges. Level of von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (vWF: RCo) activity was 112% (56-168%). Of the factors examined (age, sex, cigarette smoking, blood donation type, ABO, and Rhesus blood group), only blood group O was significantly linked with impaired platelet function test in qualified blood donors (p = 0.023; odds ratio = 1.981; 95% confidence interval (1.091-3.595)). ConclusionsSome qualified blood donors present abnormal platelet function results. More research is required to provide greater insight into the impact of platelet dysfunction in blood donors on the clinical efficacy of their platelet components. This study has confirmed that the influence of ABO blood group on the CT PFA-100™ is not wholly dependent on vWF.

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus Among Blood Donors in Sidi Bel Abbes, West Algeria

“…Plateletpheresis makes up 6% of all blood donations. These findings are in line with the data that we have previously published [31]. The majority of blood donors were lapsed donors.…”

Description of an In Vitro Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA-100/PFA-200) 30 Years in the Making

“…We still, in 2024, use the PFA-100/-200 primarily to screen for VWD, with updated findings published in 2020, 42 or else to monitor desmopressin therapy in VWD. 43 The instruments may be used for a variety of different purposes in other laboratories, for example as a preoperative screen, 44 to evaluate platelet function in animals, 45 to evaluate effects of coronavirus disease 2019 spike protein on platelet function, 46 to evaluate drug effects on platelet function, 47,48 to evaluate the effect of recombinant von Willebrand factor (VWF) on prolonged PFA closure times in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients with acquired von Willebrand syndrome, 49 to monitor antiplatelet therapy, 50 as a measure of platelet function in blood donors, 51 and as a potential marker of thrombosis risk, 52 just to name a few potential uses.…”