Preparation of white cell-reduced platelet concentrates from whole blood during component preparation.

This article introduces a new method of component preparation that is capable of producing white cell (WBC)-reduced platelet concentrates (PCs) from whole blood. Whole blood is separated into packed red cells (RBCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) by centrifugation, and the PRP is expressed through a newly designed WBC removal filter into the platelet storage bag. The filtered PRP is then centrifuged and yields WBC-reduced PCs and plasma for freezing as fresh-frozen plasma (FFP). The method uses standard triple-pack blood bags and centrifugation protocols. Fifteen WBC-reduced PCs prepared with this technique had an average volume of 56.7 mL, an average Day 5 platelet content of 8.6 x 10(10) per unit, and an average Day 5 WBC content of 0.83 +/- 0.7 x 10(4) per unit (0.14 WBCs/microL). This represents WBC removal equal to at least 99.9 percent (3 log10) of the WBCs found in standard PCs prepared in our laboratory by an identical centrifugation protocol. Paired studies documented a 4.5-percent platelet loss by filtration. Filtration had no effect on the plasma prepared for FFP as measured by prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; factors I, V, VIII:C, and VIII:von Willebrand factor; antithrombin-III; albumin; globulin; or total protein. This method holds promise as a simple and highly effective technique for the production of WBC-reduced PCs by filtration during component preparation.