Leukocyte donor and recipient reactions with filtration leukapheresis: their character, frequency, and management

Neutrophil collection by filtration leukapheresis can be recommended chiefly on the basis of simplicity, low cost and efficiency. The disadvantages of the FL technique include a slightly increased incidence of adverse donor reactions, an increased risk of donor bleeding complications due to the large doses of heparin employed and a marked increase in the incidence recipient reactions, chiefly in the form of fever and chills. Because of these disadvantages, alternative methods of neutrophil collection should be considered when possible. The recently described technique of gravity leukapheresis is one such alternative which does not require investment in expensive new equipment and could be undertaken in any center familiar with plasmapheresis procedures (5).