Restoration of red blood cell volume following 2-unit red blood cell apheresis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Blood donors who weigh at least 130 lbs (59 kg) and have a haematocrit of at least 40 V per cent can donate 2 units of blood, from which a 360-ml volume of red blood cells (RBC) can be isolated. This study was carried out in seven healthy male blood donors to assess the restoration of the RBC volume 1 month following a 2-unit RBC apheresis procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RBC volumes were measured prior to donation and 4 weeks after the 2-unit RBC apheresis procedure without oral iron supplementation. RESULTS: Four weeks after the removal of 2 units of RBC from the male donors not supplemented with oral iron, the RBC volume was restored to 92% of the precollection value. The 360-ml volume of RBC collected represented 12-19% of the donor's original RBC volume. CONCLUSIONS: Male donors can safely donate 2 units of RBC and will restore a mean of 92% of their RBC volume within 1 month without iron supplementation.