The effects of warming methods on temperature, cardiac function and cytokines in plateletpheresis donors

Background and Objectives: Plateletpheresis is the most frequent type of apheresis, with demand for these products continuously increasing. Hypothermia is a common side-effect of apheresis, which may have an effect on the donor's body functions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of warming methods on plateletpheresis donors' temperature, cardiac function and cytokines. Materials and Methods: Fifty plateletpheresis donors were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 25) or a warming group (n = 25), with air and blood warmers during plateletpheresis. The effects of the treatment were examined by comparing body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, Holter EKG pattern, serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentration, the white blood count, the white blood fraction, and the platelet count at a point in time between the two groups. Results: In the control group, the tympanic temperature decreased more during apheresis compared to the warming group (P = 0.014). The decrease of diastolic blood pressure was significantly greater in the control group compared to the warming group (P = 0.010). As for cardiac function, the frequency of abnormal beats was generally higher in the control group, but the difference was not significant. IL-2 and TNF-α decreased significantly after plateletpheresis in the control group only, while there was no change in the warming group. Conclusion: The decrease of temperature during plateletpheresis resulted in changes in haemodynamics and cytokines. The warming methods used in this study can prevent the decrease of temperature in donors, and may be helpful in maintaining the haemodynamic and cytokine balance.