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INTRODUCTION: Although coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic does not result in increased blood needs, blood supply can be considerably compromised due to the unavailability of blood donors. The objective was to share our experience about blood donation patterns and concerns on blood safety during COVID-19 pandemic in India.METHODS: This was a retrospective study of approximately 4.5 months of data including both lockdown period (LD) and LD phases. LD phase was further subdivided into four phases of varying durations. Data of blood collected and various reasons for deferral of prospective donors were analyzed. The effectiveness of mitigation strategies adopted to maintain adequate blood inventory was also assessed. Events in transfusion services during the LD were compared with the pre-LD (P-LD) phase.RESULTS: The mean collection per day for WB and SDP was reduced by 70% and 50%, respectively, compared to pre-LD. Approximately 23% of WB and 27% of SDPs were collected on an appointment basis during LD. The proportion of indoor voluntary blood donation was increased by 7–8 times during LD compared to P-LD. Approximately 2% of total prospective donors screened were deferred after thermal scanning and due to risk of being infected with COVID-19. Donor deferrals due to high-risk behavior increased significantly in the LD phase compared to P-LD period.CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the pattern of blood donation and blood safety. Transfusion services must develop appropriate plans to respond efficiently to various challenges posed by such pandemics.

BACKGROUND: The new cell separators make it simple to collect single donor platelets (SDP), although the platelet yield may vary depending on the cell separator used and donor-related clinical and laboratory variables. AIMS: This study aims to study the factors affecting SDP yield and corrected count increment (CCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out at a tertiary care facility in northern India, over 4 years (May 2017-April 2020), data were retrieved and analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Categorical variables were presented as proportions, while continuous variables were presented as mean with standard deviation, P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We found a positive correlation between predonation platelet count and yield (r = 0.243, P = 0.000). No such significant correlation was found with Hb concentration (r = 0.025, P = 0.720), age (r = 0.016, P = 0.820), sex (r = -0.038, P = 0.584), and weight (r = -0.025, P = 0.714). Maximum platelet yield and minimum time were seen with Trima. Only 39.3% (33/84) meet the 24 h CCI. The majority of patients did not meet the desired CCI could be due to the patients' clinical condition. On logistic regression, we found a significant association of 24 h CCI with product yield (odds ratio [OR] = 0.168, P = 0.015) and posttransfusion platelet count (OR = 0.454, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The only donor-related factor that influences yield is predonation platelet count, whereas 24 h CCI may depend on the clinical status of the patient and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In the setting of RhD-alloimmunized pregnancy, laboratory variations in critical titer (CT) of anti-D antibody may result in needless referrals or a compromised fetal outcome. Methods RhD-alloimmunized pregnant women were included. Fetal outcome was categorized based on cord hemoglobin and interventions required. For 3 commonly used CTs of 8, 16, and 32, sensitivity and specificity as well as positive and negative predictive values were computed. Results When compared with CTs of 16 and 32, we detected 6.9% and 19.4% more cases of moderate-severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn by using 8 as the CT. However, this leads to greater rate of unnecessary referral (12.1%, 10/82) than a CT of 16 (8.2%, 6/73) and 32 (4.9%, 3/61). A CT of 8 demonstrated 100% sensitivity, but 12.1% (10/82) of patients were referred needlessly. Conclusion Because of its 100% sensitivity, we advocate decreasing the CT to 8. However, this may lead to unwarranted referrals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Increasing demand of single donor platelet requires blood banks to expand the donor pool. A reassessment of donor deferral criteria for plateletpheresis is required to ensure that this increasing demand is met without compromising on product quality and donor safety. AIMS: (1) To list the various causes of SDP donor deferral. (2) To discuss various approaches to minimize it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of plateletpheresis donor deferral were collected from records retrospectively over a period of 4 years from January 2017 to December 2020. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All statistical tests were performed using IBM SPSS software for Windows version 20. Categorical variables were presented as proportions, while continuous variables were presented as mean with standard deviation, mean calculated P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 7478 donors screened for plateletpheresis procedure, 3232 (43.2%) were deferred among which 3089 (42.5%) were male and 142 (63.1%) were female donors. Majority (96.5%) of deferral were temporary. These included low platelet count (47.4%) followed by poor venous access (22.4%) and low hemoglobin (Hb) (7.2%). Among the donors deferred for low Hb, 24.7% (58 out of 234) had Hb between 12 and 12.4 g%. Similarly, among donor deferred for low platelet count, 12% (184 out of 1532) had platelet count between 140 and 149 × 103/μl. CONCLUSION: There is potential for increasing the number of eligible plateletpheresis donors if the present donor selection criteria were relaxed to a minimum Hb of 12 g/dl and minimum platelet count of 140 × 103/μl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plateletpheresis is generally safe but may have adverse reactions. Adverse reactions can negatively influence donor recruitment and retention. Valsalva is a proven method of attenuating pain caused by venipuncture. Aims: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver on the attenuation of needle pain and donor anxiety. Settings and Design: This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between November 2015 and April 2016 at the Department of Transfusion Medicine. Subjects and Methods: One-hundred and sixty consecutive donors were grouped into control group (C) and Valsalva group (V) each of sample size 80. The Valsalva group performed a Valsalva maneuver and control did nothing before the venipuncture. Anxiety and pain were scored using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). Severity was graded as VAS = 0 defines no pain and anxiety, VAS = 1–3 as mild pain and anxiety, VAS = 4–6 as moderate pain and anxiety, VAS = 7–9 as severe pain and anxiety, whereas VAS = 10 denotes extreme pain and anxiety. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 23 was used for analysis. Independent samples t-test/Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare between treatment and control group, whereas the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the difference between pre- and postobservations. Results: In the Valsalva group, post-Valsalva anxiety levels were significantly reduced to (1 [0–2]) from their pre-Valsalva values of (2 [0–3]); (P < 0.001). Pain was significantly lower (2[1-2]) in Valsalva group compared to control (4[2–5]); (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Valsalva reduced both severity of venipuncture pain and anxiety. Valsalva can be performed by donors as it is an easy, painless, and nonpharmacological method of pain and anxiety attenuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plateletpheresis procedures are generally safe and associated with low adverse reactions. Although donor reactions and injuries are self-limited events, they may discourage donors from future platelet donations. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of adverse donor reactions in plateletpheresis donors, which could serve as targets for interventions to reduce reactions. Materials and Methods: The study included 106 platelet donors over a period of 2 years. The demographic, biometric, and clinical parameters were noted. The data were analyzed for predictors of adverse donor reactions. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using independent sample t-test to correlate donor variables such as gender. To correlate other variables such as age, weight, and whole blood processed, Chi-square test was used. Results: A total of 106 plateletpheresis donations were performed and 13.2% of vasovagal reactions were observed. The significant predictive factors for reactions were young female donors with low body weight in which more than 2.5 L volume of whole blood was processed and more than 250 ml of acid, citrate, and dextrose-A was infused and with single venous access procedures. Conclusions: The results of this study are encouraging and helpful in identifying donors at risk for developing adverse reactions during plateletpheresis so that proper and close observation during and after donation as well as timely intervention can prevent most of the unpleasant events of plateletpheresis donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Storage of red blood cells at 4 °C is associated with deleterious metabolic and biochemical changes, collectively referred to as "storage lesions". Lipid peroxidation of the red cell membrane leading to lysis contributes to these storage lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate oxidative injury to red cells during storage for 28 days and its correlation with markers of red cell membrane damage., Materials and Methods: Samples from 30 units of red blood cells stored at 4 °C for 28 days were withdrawn aseptically on day 0, day 14 and day 28 of storage. Markers of membrane damage including plasma haemoglobin, plasma potassium and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations and markers of oxidative injury such as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, haemoglobin oxidation and osmotic fragility were studied in all samples., Results: Statistically significant (p<0.001) increases in the mean values of plasma haemoglobin, plasma potassium, LDH and markers of oxidative injury such as MDA and haemoglobin oxidation were observed over the storage period of 28 days. Direct correlations of MDA and haemoglobin oxidation with membrane damage, as reflected by plasma haemoglobin concentration, were observed., Conclusion: Oxidative injury to red blood cells during storage leads to membrane damage and lysis. The role of antioxidants in the prevention of this deleterious effect of storage warrants investigation.