Effects of pre-storage leukoreduction on erythrocyte concentrates and performance of newer generation leuko-filters at a tertiary care oncology hospital in Western India.

BACKGROUND

Leukoreduction is a post-processing technique that reduces residual leukocytes in cellular blood components. Previous studies have evaluated these parameters mainly among older generation leuko-filters.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the immediate effects of pre-storage leukoreduction on red cell indices and the performance efficacy of two newer generation leuko-filters.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis collected quality control data before and after leukoreduction for erythrocyte concentrates (ECs) from laboratory registers from the Blood Transfusion Laboratory at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer in Mumbai, India, for the period January 2015 to December 2019. Data related to red cell indices and performance characteristics for Fresenius and Macopharma filters were included.

RESULTS

A total of 500 records was included in the study. All EC units demonstrated a 99.99% leukocyte log reduction, with both filters showing equal efficacy. Post-leukoreduction haemoglobin concentrations were lower than the pre-leukoreduction for all units ( < 0.001). Of those prepared from 350 mL units, 11.6% (28/240) had haemoglobin levels under 40 g/bag as compared to 1.1% (3/260) among those prepared from 450 mL units. All indices exhibited statistically significant changes after leukoreduction ( < 0.001) except for mean corpuscular haemoglobin ( = 0.215). The Fresenius filter required less time for leukoreduction compared to the Macopharma filter ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Red cell indices show several changes following leukoreduction. Further studies are needed to assess the microscopic and functional impact of leukoreduction. Leuko-filters vary in their performance characteristics, which may influence vendor selection.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

This study found changes among several red cell indices after leukoreduction of ECs, which have not been extensively studied in previous literature. Further, we found that the newer generation leuko-filters differ in specific performance characteristics, which may influence vendor selection.