The quality of red blood cells and platelets intended for transfusion : Opportunities for improvements

Abstract: A new, automated technique for collection and instant preparation of blood components has been developed. The device enables the combined collection of red cells (250 mL) and plasma (475 mL). No adverse effects were seen in the donors. The blood components were of good quality. The impact of the pre-separation temperature on whole blood was studied in two studies. In the first study blood was collected and put into stoppered test tubes. The test tubes were then put into water bath at 15,20,25 and 30 °C. Samples were taken at intervals during 24 hours. The lactate concentration increased and 2,3-DPG concentrations decreased during storage and at a higher rate with higher temperature. In the second study blood was collected and dived into half units. One half unit was actively cooled to 20 °C the other half kept at 28 °C. Blood component preparation was done after 6 hours. There were a significant change in 2,3-DPG, pH and lactate already after two hours hold of the whole blood. The differences were maintained for one week and for 2,3-DPG throughout 28 days storage. Myeloperoxidase levels in plasma were lower in the cooled units. The leucocytes reduction properties of BAT procedure were improved by addition of mannitol in the anticoagulant. The contents of leucocytes in RBC units were in the test group 32x106 and in the control group 573x106. In vitro storage data showed no significant difference between the two groups during 42 days of storage of the red cells. A photochemical treatment (PCT) process has been used in decontamination of buffy-coat derived platelets (BC-PCs). Different strains of bacteria known to be associated with bacterial contamination's of blood components were added to two pooled ABO matched BC-PCs. After mixing the BC-PCs were divided. One BC-PC underwent PCT and the other did not. All bacterial experiments were made in duplicates. In all experiments, the bacteria were killed except in one with Bacillus cereus, a known spore former. PCT conditions similar to those used in the bacterial inactivation experiment were efficacious to inactivate HIV-1. In a second study a number of in vitro parameters known to be related to viability or function of stored platelets were tested. No physiologically relevant differences were found between the test and the control BC-PCs during 7 days of storage.