Quality of erythrocyte concentrates derived from lipemic whole blood donations

Abstract

IntroductionSeveral studies indicate that lipemic plasma can have an adverse effect on the quality of platelets and red blood cell concentrates (RCC) during storage. The aim of this study was to expand the knowledge of donor characteristics in relation to RCC storage quality.Materials and methodsDonor characteristics of lipemic whole blood (WB) donations were obtained. As control, historical data on donor characteristics were used. RCCs in SAGM were produced from these lipemic WB donations, and in vitro quality during cold storage was determined. In plasma, triglyceride levels were determined. Results were compared with normal, non‐lipemic donations.ResultsA total of 26 lipemic WB donations were evaluated of which only two were obtained from a female donor. Mean age of donors in this study was 50 years. A total of 18 donors (69%) showed overweight (BMI 25–30) or were obese (BMI > 30). Lipemic donations were drawn between 2:40 and 8:40 PM, with 22 donations after 6:00 PM. Triglyceride levels in lipemic plasma were on average 5·9 mmol/L. At day 42 of storage, the lipemic group showed significant higher haemolysis (1·24 ± 0·82%), as compared to the control group (0·30 ± 0·14%).DiscussionHaemolysis during storage was greatly enhanced in RCCs from lipemic WB donations. Based on the limited set of donations in this evaluation, a tentative conclusion is that highest chance of lipemic plasma exists in donations from men over 50 years with BMI > 25, donating in the evening. Based on these investigations, our blood service decided not to use lipemic WB for the production of (cellular) blood products.