A new protocol for improving efficiency of autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection in patients with high white blood cell counts.

Background: Collection efficiency (CE) of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collections is negatively affected by increasing white blood cell (WBC) counts of the patient. This study compared a new optimized mononuclear cell (MNC) collection protocol (OPP) to the standard MNC collection protocol recommended by the manufacturer (STP) for PBSC collection in patients with WBC counts >35 000/μL.

Study Design And Methods: Single-center, retrospective, and observational study of 81 autologous PBSC collections on Fenwal Amicus cell separators in 70 adult patients.

Impact of recipient ABH secretor status on outcome in minor ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: The impact of ABO incompatibility on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) outcome is controversial. As ABH substances are expressed on tissues and secreted in body fluids, they could drive an immune response in minor ABO-incompatible HSCT. The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic role of the recipients' ABH secretor status.

Comparison of transfusion efficacy of amotosalen-based pathogen-reduced platelet components and gamma-irradiated platelet components.

Background: Trials of transfusions of platelets (PLTs) treated with amotosalen-based pathogen reduction (PR) showed lower corrected count increments (CCIs) compared to conventional PLT components (PCs). However, PR-PLTs and conventional PCs often differed in various factors besides PR. We compared transfusion efficacy of single-donor apheresis PCs treated with PR or gamma irradiation.

Prospective change control analysis of transfer of platelet concentrate production from a specialized stem cell transplantation unit to a blood transfusion center.

Background And Objectives: Specialized centers claim a need for blood component production independent from the general blood transfusion services. We performed a prospective change control analysis of the transfer of platelet (PLT) production for hematological patients at the University Hospital Basel from the Department of Hematology to the Blood Transfusion Centre, Swiss Red Cross, Basel in February 2006. We wanted to demonstrate that neither quality nor transfusion outcome was affected.

Prognostic value of red blood cell parameters and ferritin in predicting deferral due to low hemoglobin in whole blood donors.

Risk factors for deferral from red blood cell (RBC) donation due to low hemoglobin are not well defined. We analyzed in a large cohort of returning donors the prognostic value of RBC parameters and serum ferritin regarding low hemoglobin levels at the subsequent visit. Between 2004 and 2009, RBC indices and serum ferritin were recorded in 45,533 visits by 7,994 donors.

The value of routine ferritin measurement in blood donors.

Background: Iron store deficiency is a common side effect of whole blood donation. Early recognition and reversal of excessive iron loss may avoid symptomatic iron store depletion in blood donors and reduce volunteer loss due to iron deficiency (ID) anemia.

Study Design And Methods: Between 1996 and 2009, a total of 160,612 visits with the intention to donate blood by 23,557 healthy volunteers were recorded at our center.

Cardiovascular risk stratification in unselected primary care patients with newly detected arterial hypertension.

Cardiovascular risk (CVR) stratification in patients with arterial hypertension is essential. Few data are available on CVR factors (CVRFs), hypertensive target organ damage (TOD) and overall CVR in medical outpatients with newly detected arterial hypertension. General medical patients entering the Medical Outpatient Department of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, were screened for elevated office blood pressure (OBP of >140/90 mm Hg).