EFFECT OF IN-LINE FILTRATION AN VIASPAN COLD-STORAGE SOLUTION

The effect of filtration on the particulate load in ViaSpan cold-stora ge solution was studied. Commercially available inline blood transfusi on filters (SQ4OS), Pall Biomedical) were inserted into the delivery-s et port of polyvinyl chloride bags of ViaSpan (DuPont Merck Pharmaceut ical). Particles in samples collected in particle-free vials before an d after filtration were counted by light-obscuration technique. The co mpatibility of key ViaSpan ingredients and of three commonly used addi tives (penicillin G potassium, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and hum an insulin) with the inline filter was also investigated. Filtration r emoved 56% of particles 5-10 mu m in diameter, 71% of particles of >10 -25 mu m, and >99% of particles measuring >25 mu m. Flow rates with th e filters were more than adequate for clinical use. Concentrations of constituent hydroxyethyl starch, glutathione, adenosine, allopurinol, raffinose pentahydrate, and lactobionic acid were not significantly af fected by filtration, nor were the concentrations of any of the drug a dditives. Inline filtration of ViaSpan effectively reduced fatty acid salt particulates in the solution and had no deleterious effect on flo w rate, ingredient concentrations, or concentrations of commonly added drugs.