The effect of leucocyte depletion on the quality of fresh-frozen plasma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucodepleted (LD) fre sh-frozen plasma (FFP) produced using one of five whole blood filters (Baxt er RS2000 & RZ2000, NPBI T2926, Macopharma LST1 and Terumo WBSP) or two pla sma filters (Pall LPS1 and Baxter FGR7014). Whole blood or plasma was filte red within 8 h of collection at an ambient temperature. Samples were taken pre- and post filtration for analysis of coagulation factors and complement activation (n = 7-12 for each type of filter). All filtered units (209-286 ml) contained < 5 x 10(6) residual leucocytes and < 30 x 10(9)/l platelets . Statistically significant losses of factors V, VIII, IX, XI and XII and i ncreases in markers of coagulation activation were observed (0-21%), which were dependent on filter type. None of the filters had a significant effect on von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimeric distribution or the activity of VWF and factors II, VII or X. The effect on levels of C3a appeared to be re lated to the filter surface charge: positively charged filters resulted in C3a generation, whereas negatively charged resulted in C3a removal. None of the observed changes are likely to be clinically significant unless subseq uent processing of plasma (such as pathogen inactivation) results in furthe r losses of coagulation factors.