An in vitro evaluation of leukocyte-poor red blood cell concentrates prepared by reconstitution with phosphate buffer solution.

An effective method for removing leukocytes and platelets from red blood cell concentrates (RBC) reconstituted with phosphate buffer solution was investigated in vitro. Reconstituted RBC were warmed at 37 degrees C for 1 hr. Neither leukocyte count nor platelet count was decreased by the treatment. When compared with whole blood, leukocytes present in the fractions below the buffy coat layer were significantly less than those of whole blood, while the distribution of platelets in reconstituted RBC was unchanged. It is suggested that the reduction of leukocytes in red blood cells below the buffy coat layer may contribute to the preparation of RBC with a poor leukocyte.