Abstract
The influence of the continuous‐flow automated blood cell separator, Fenwal CS‐3000, on blood coagulation and the fibrinolytic system in blood donors was studied. Blood samples were taken from the collection line of donors undergoing extracorporeal circulation, before and after platelet pheresis. Of the molecular markers, prothrombin fragment‐Fl + 2 (PFI + 2) markedly increased from 0.8 ± 0.3 to 2.9 ± 2.0 nM/ml (P < .004), thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT) also markedly increased from 2.6 ± 1.3 to 56.0 ± 24.0 μg/L (P < .001), fibrinopeptide A (FPA) increased slightly from 0.8 ± 0.9 to 3.8 ± 4.2 μg/L (P < .05), and α2‐plasmin inhibitor (α2‐PI) decreased slightly from 95 ± 8 to 91 ± 9% (P < .05). In one donor with the highest level of PFI + 2, TAT, FPA, and plasmin inhibitor complex after platelet pheresis, protein C, protein S, C4b‐binding protein, ATIII, plasminogen, α2‐PI, and coagulation factors were decreased. In blood donors undergoing platelet pheresis using the continuous‐flow automated blood cell separator, Fenwal CS‐3000, a hypercoagulable state was observed. Changing the materials of the plastic disposables to a more thromboresistant material may prevent the hypercoagulable state in donors induced by platelet pheresis using the blood cell separator. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.