[Thrombocytapheresis with the (Baxter) A 201 cell separator--initial data of biocompatibility]

The cell separator A 201 was a new platelet pheresis prototype designed to carry out a discontinuous apheresis while platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is sampled continuously. After donation, a platelet concentrate (PC) and a fresh frozen plasma was collected from the PRP by the plasma cell-C device. The PC contained 2.6 +/- 0.7 x 10(11) platelets with a leucocyte contamination of 3.9 +/- 3.9 x 10(8) and an erythrocyte contamination of 3.0 +/- 3.0 x 10(8). The fresh frozen plasma was nearly cell-free. Prior, during and after apheresis we analysed hemolysis and coagulation parameters. There was no evidence for hemolysis. The analysis of the coagulation factors and of the Thrombin-Antithrombin III-complex, however, gave a hint of an activation of coagulation.