PRESTORAGE IN-LINE FILTRATION OF WHOLE-BLOOD FOR OBTAINING WHITE CELL-REDUCED BLOOD COMPONENTS

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have indicated that the inline filtrat ion of whole blood is a feasible method of obtaining white cell (WBC)- reduced packed red cells (RBCs) and WBC-reduced fresh-frozen plasma (F FP) while using only one filter. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An inline W BC-reduction filter, specially designed for this purpose and integrate d 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 ce nters (Vienna and Gottingen). 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: T he median WBC contamination in RBC-F was 27,000 per unit in Vienna and 50,000 in Gottingen. in FFP-F, the median WBC contamination was 13,00 0 (Vienna) and 31,000 (Gottingen) per unit. Coagulation factors I, V, VIII, and XI in FFP-F were not different from those in FFP-C. In addit ion, markers for the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis-that i s, factor XIIa, prothrombin fragments, thrombin-antithrombin complexes and fibrinogen degradation products-were not greater in FFP-F. CONCLU SION: 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 f ibrinolysis show no increase.