Automated plasmapheresis with a nylon membrane

A new nylon membrane is an effective alternate to the original polycarbonate membrane in the Autopheresis-C^® plasmapheresis system. With the original membrane some donors were noted to have reduced plasma flow rates (less than 15 mL/min) and therefore increased plasmapheresis times. In the study reported here, 30 of these low-flow donors were matched for age, sex, and blood group with 32 normal-flow donors, and all underwent plasmapheresis using the new nylon membrane. No significant differences could be found between the groups in apheresis time, plasma flow rate, amount of plasma donated or amount of Factor VIII:C or other biological parameters measured in the plasma.