Preparation of leukocyte-poor platelet concentrates via a short, hard spinof a pool of buffy coats

Background and Objectives: A new method for the preparation of leukocyte-po or platelet concentrates was developed, based on a short, hard spin of a po ol of 5 huffy coats (BCs) combined with automated collection of the platele ts. Materials and Methods: The characteristics of platelet concentrates (PC s) were studied as a function of the total g force applied to a pool of 5 B Cs. Pools of BCs were centrifuged for 1 min with a total g force ranging fr om about 3,300 to 5,000 gmin (n = 7-9 per applied g force). Deceleration to ok place without the means of a brake. The total centrifugation time was ab out 11 min. The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fraction above the cell layer wa s separated by an automated component preparation device. Results: A short, hard spin with a total g force of between 3,400 and 4,600 gmin resulted in PCs that contained on average more than 290 x 10(9) platelets and less tha n 5 x 10(6) leukocytes without the use of a leukocyte filter, provided that the transfer of PRP was electronically checked and terminated, The cell co ncentrations in the PCs are a function of the total g force, Both the plate let and leukocyte levels in the concentrate decreased with an increase in t he total g force applied to the pool. Conclusion: The preparation of PCs vi a a short hard, spin of BCs, combined with automated collection of the PRP, may be an alternative method for the preparation of leukocyte-poor PCs. Co pyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.