Switching iron‐deficient whole blood donors to plateletpheresis

Abstract

Switching iron-deficient WB donors to plateletpheresis was an effective intervention that permitted us to correct low Hb and ferritin levels while retaining donors in our pool.

Iron deficiency and thrombocytosis

“…This observation suggests that factors other than iron levels influence changes in platelet count and that probably the degree of ID or even IDA as encountered in blood donors is not sufficiently strong to significantly stimulate platelet production in the majority of the subjects. In a previous study in iron‐deficient female donors, who switched from whole‐blood donation to platelet apheresis, platelet counts after correction of ID were also not significantly lower compared with baseline .…”

Blood donor to inactive donor transition in the Basel region between 1996 and 2011: a retrospective cohort study

“…Marketing actions and strategies aimed at increasing return rates should be reinforced, especially for younger and female blood donors. Considering the high prevalence of iron deficiency without anaemia in young females and the consequent risk of developing overt anaemia with blood donation, a donor tailored donation frequency and the switching to platelet apheresis could be options for retaining donors, as demonstrated in previous experiences at our centre . Furthermore, the high proportion of first‐time blood donors who became inactive just after their first blood donation suggests that specific retention strategies should aim at encouraging repeat donations as early as possible in the donor career in order to develop a donation habit.…”

Evidence of relative iron deficiency in platelet‐ and plasma‐pheresis donors correlates with donation frequency

“…All participants signed IRB approved informed consent. Platelet‐ and plasma‐pheresis were performed using Trima Accel separators (CaridianBCT, Zug, Switzerland) with an estimated RBC loss of 30 mL . Donation frequency was determined as number of donations within 12 months prior to study enrollment.…”

“…Less is known about platelet‐ and plasma‐pheresis (apheresis) donors, in whom consideration of ID or iron depletion without anemia is also warranted. ID in apheresis donors is plausible because most apheresis donors have previously donated whole blood , and as ID is associated with thrombocytosis , those successfully converted from whole blood donors may exhibit ID, iron depletion, or IRE without anemia. Furthermore, tubes taken for donor testing and residua in the tubing (approximately 30 mL RBC loss in total ) at each donation results in iron loss equivalent to 4 whole blood units annually in frequent apheresis donors (up to every 72 h, 24 times per year).…”