Evaluation of Cobe Trima for the collection of blood components with particular reference to the in vitro characteristics of the red cell and platelet concentrates and the clinical responses to transfusion

This study evaluated Cobe Trima for donor and operational acceptability, the quality and storage stability of the blood components collected, and the clinical responses to transfusion. The study was carried out in 2 phases; phase 1 assessed the efficiency of red cells and platelet collection, and the characteristics of the components collected before and after storage. Phase 2 was an evaluation of operational issues and the in vitro characteristics of the red cells and platelet concentrates at the time of transfusion in respect to their cellular content, and leucocyte (interleukin IL-6 and IL-8) and platelet-derived (Rantes) cytokine levels. Cytokine levels were also measured in the donors before and after the collection procedure and in patients both before and after transfusion. The clinical responses to a small number of transfusions were assessed. The Cobe Trima was found to be straightforward to use by the operators, although additional operator training was required to manage occasional uncertainty with alarm messages. It was acceptable to the donors except for the occurrence of citrate reactions in 3/6 donors in phase 1; this problem persisted in phase 2 (6/15 donors), and needs to be addressed in the future. All blood components met UK product specifications apart from 2 platelet concentrates, 2 red cell concentrates, and one unit of FFP; the red cell and platelet concentrates had good storage characteristics. The 2 procedures, which resulted in low platelet yields, were due to occlusion of the plasma line; the method for installation of the harness has been subsequently modified to prevent this. 2 red cell concentrates showed haemolysis; the reason for this was not established. The Factor VIII level was satisfactory in plasma and the cellular content was low. The responses to 12 platelet transfusions were expected as in a group of haematology patients, and no immediate adverse effects were reported with any of the transfusions. Leucocyte-associated (IL-8 and IL-6) and platelet-associated (Rantes) cytokine levels were not elevated in donor samples taken before or after the collection procedure, or in the red cell and platelet concentrates at the time of issue. Pre- and post-transfusion IL-8 levels were raised in one patient with non-immune platelet refractoriness, and normal in 2 patients with excellent or almost satisfactory responses to platelet transfusions raising the question as whether IL-8 could be used as a laboratory marker for non-immune platelet refractoriness due to infection.