Prestorage leukocyte reduction with in-line filtration of whole blood: evaluation of red cells and plasma storage.

Abstract

Prestorage filtration of blood components appears to be an effective method to reduce leukocyte-induced adverse reactions and other complications. To determine whether it is better to filter whole blood before component separation, we compared the efficiency of in-line filtration of whole blood with that of postseparation filtration. Blood was collected from normal, healthy donors into either regular triple-bag containers or into whole-blood integral-filter container systems. We then compared the in vitro storage values of leukocyte-depleted red blood cell concentrates (RBCC) kept at 4 degrees C, and plasma frozen for 1 year with nonfiltered blood components as control. All counts of white blood cells after filtration were < 1 x 10(6) per unit. For almost all storage parameters no significant differences were found between leukocyte-reduced RBCC and control units. The plasma fibrinopeptide A values below 30 ng/ml prior to freezing indicate that filtration does not activate the coagulation factors. Furthermore, the filtration did not influence either the biological values or the coagulation factors of plasma units. Whole blood filtration prior to component preparation seems to offer a useful alternative technique for obtaining leukocyte-reduced RBCC and plasma.