Prestorage inline filtration of whole blood for obtaining white cell-reduced blood components.

BACKGROUND

Preliminary studies have indicated that the inline filtration of whole blood is a feasible method of obtaining white cell (WBC)-reduced packaged red cells (RBCs) and WBC-reduced fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) while using only one filter.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

An inline WBC-reduction filter, specially designed for this purpose and integrated in a "top-top" system, was used in the preparation of 24 units of WBC-reduced RBCs (RBC-F) and FFP (FFP-F) in each of two transfusion centers (Vienna and Göttingen). Twelve conventionally prepared units of RBCs (RBC-C) and FFP (FFP-C) served as controls. WBC contamination was assessed in each unit with the Nageotte chamber. Several coagulation measures were evaluated by using standardized test systems.

RESULTS

The median WBC contamination in RBC-F was 27,000 per unit in Vienna and 50,000 in Göttingen. In FFP-F, the median WBC contamination was 13,000 (Vienna) and 31,000 (Göttingen) per unit. Coagulation factors I, V, VIII, and XI in FFP-F were not different from those in FFP-C. In addition, markers for the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis--that is, factor XIIa, prothrombin fragments, thrombin-antithrombin complexes and fibrinogen degradation products--were not greater in FFP-F.

CONCLUSION

Blood components prepared from inline-filtered whole blood meet the standards for WBC-reduced RBCs and FFP. The protein profile of FFP-F is not altered, and markers for the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis show no increase.