Plateletpheresis during plasma collection.

New systems for collection of platelet concentrate (PC) and platelet poor plasma (PPP) are presently available. The aim of our work was to test the possibility of preparing PC routinely from normal plasma donors in a minimum amount of time and, at the same time, providing a second product that can be used as source-plasma or fresh-frozen plasma. Over a 3 year period (from 1990 to 1992) we performed 3503 procedures using 2 Haemonetics PCS machines (1236 procedures) and 3 Autopheresis-C (2267 procedures).

A new family with congenital factor XIII deficiency showing a deficit of both subunit A and B. Type I factor XIII deficiency.

In this study we present a new case of Factor XIII deficiency. The proposita, a 34 year old woman, showed a deficiency of both subunit a and subunit b, and a moderate bleeding tendency. Because of the concomitant decrease of subunits a and b the proposita is considered to be an example of Type I disease.

Congenital heterozygous plasminogen deficiency associated with a severe thrombotic tendency.

Heterozygous plasminogen deficiency was found in 2 patients (mother and daughter). The mother, aged 55 years, was symptomatic while the daughter, aged 10 years, was asymptomatic so far. The thrombotic tendency presented by the proposita (mother) was severe and included recurrent superficial, portal, mesenteric, subclavian thrombophlebitis.

Associated von Willebrand disease as a possible cause of lack of thrombosis in an AT III abnormality (AT III Trento).

In a family with a known antithrombin III abnormality (AT III Trento) an associated von Willebrand defect (Type I) was found. The two defects seem to segregate independently. In fact four types of individuals were present, namely: subjects with isolated AT III abnormality, subjects with isolated von Willebrand defect, patients with double defect and normal subjects.