Large volume donor plasmapheresis in inherited thrombophilia implicated in arterial thrombosis.

BACKGROUND

Life-threatening complications following apheresis are rare, and include venous thrombosis. Arterial thrombosis following apheresis has not been reported.

CASE REPORT: A 48 year old donor had cerebral infarction following large volume plasma donation. The outcome was fatal. He was found to be heterozygous for both methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-T mutation and Prothrombin 20210G-A allele.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that large volume plasma donation may trigger arterial thrombotic events in inherited thrombophilia. Therefore, the effects of plasmapheresis on coagulation system should be studied thoroughly.