A prospective multicentre study on the safety of long‐term intensive plasmapheresis in donors (SIPLA)

Abstract

Long-term intensive donor plasmapheresis under conditions investigated in this study is safe. All donors weighing > or = 70 kg are safely able to donate 850 ml of plasma in each session up to 60 times per year, provided that they are carefully monitored.

Effects of different lipoprotein apheresis methods on serum protein levels

“…When compared to nondonors, plasma donors had lower levels of total protein, albumin and Immunoglobulin G [21], although the plasma donors evidently did not suffer from any consequence of these lower levels. In a prospective study of 3783 plasma donors, sixteen per cent of donors dropped out when Immunoglobulin G, total serum protein or hemoglobin levels fell below threshold values [22]. Severe clinical adverse events related to plasmapheresis were observed in five subjects.…”

Anticoagulation, bleeding, and clotting at donor plasmapheresis

“…However, there is no evidence that the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in plasma donors is increased compared to a comparable population with the same age, gender, and contraceptive medication intake. Considering case reports of myocardial or cerebral infarcts by arterial thromboses, the incidence of severe cardiovascular diseases was even lower in donors of plasma than in the general population …”

A prospective analysis of blood donation history and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

“…Blood donation could influence subsequent NHL development via temporary immune system alterations following blood donation, which have been demonstrated in some [6–8], but not all [30], human studies. Studies that specifically investigated the influence of plasma donation on the immune system have also shown conflicting results [31–33]. It is difficult to speculate whether immune system alterations after blood donation are truly transient or substantial enough to cause observable long-term health effects.…”