A prospective, randomized, sequential crossover trial of large-volume versus normal-volume leukapheresis procedures: effects on serum electrolytes, platelet counts, and other coagulation measures.

BACKGROUND

LVL procedures with the administration of heparin as an additional anticoagulant are increasingly performed because of the potentially higher yield of autologous peripheral blood HPCs. A prospective, randomized crossover trial was performed to evaluate the influence of leukapheresis volume-that is, large versus normal-on serum electrolytes, platelet count, and other coagulation measures in 25 patients with breast cancer and 14 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to start either with an LVL on Day 1 followed by a normal-volume leukapheresis (NVL) on Day 2 or vice versa. In LVL, heparin was administered in addition to ACD-A. Bleeding complications, transfusion support, whole-blood counts, and several coagulation measures as well as plasma heparin levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

Although the duration, the infused amount of ACD-A, the flow rate, the drop in platelet count, and the drop in potassium were significantly greater in LVL, and although LVL patients also received heparin, there was no significant difference in clinical tolerance or bleeding complications. After LVL, patients exhibited a significantly longer activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), with a median of 70 seconds (range, 44-100 sec), and a median anti-factor Xa activity of 0.69 IU per mL (range, 0.10-1.29 IU/mL). The value of the APTT after LVL correlated with anti-factor Xa activity (r = 0.37, p<0.05), but not with platelet count or heparin infusion rate. Markers for coagulation activation did not increase during NVL or LVL.

CONCLUSION

LVL with heparin as an additional anticoagulant seems to be a safe procedure in patients with low preleukapheresis platelet counts. No activation of coagulation occurred after NVL or LVL procedures.