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Possible reaction following automated double red cell collection

A blood banker in Tennessee reports that one of their regular whole blood donors recently gave blood via an automated double red cell collection for the first time. The donor donated with no trouble, but experienced a rash, tightness in her chest, and shortness of breath while driving home after the double red cell donation. The tightness and shortness of breath lasted a very short time. The donor had had no problem donating single units of whole blood on two past donations. The kit used with the automated collection was a regular collection container with saline and ACDA. The donor center staff have not seen this type of reaction with other double red cell donors. They wonder if other centers have observed similar reactions.

The following comments have been received.

1. A colleague reports that in their opinion, the following publication may be germane to this discussion. Leitman SF, Boltansky H, Alter HJ, Pearson FC, Kaliner MA. Allergic reactions in healthy plateletpheresis donors caused by sensitization to ethylene oxide gas. N Engl J Med. 1986 Nov 6;315(19):1192-6.

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Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
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Posted: July 25, 2005

Addenda: July 25, 2005

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