Blood component processing technique and plasma quality.

Abstract

To maintain a closed system during the preparation of blood components, including the removal of buffy coat, many centers use a quadruple blood bag additive solution system which in this study has been reduced to a cheaper triple bag system. The buffy coat and plasma were after centrifugation transferred to the first satellite bag and, after a second spin, the plasma separated from the buffy coat was transferred to the second satellite bag and stored for a fortnight at 4 degrees C. This resulted in a statistically significant increase in platelet factor 4 and elastase activity levels. No significant changes were found in the levels of C1-esterase inhibitor and kallikrein inhibiting activity, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, soluble fibrin, fibrinopeptide A and spontaneous proteolytic activity. The changes observed must be regarded as clinically insignificant. The platelet count is low enough to meet the requirements for platelet poor plasma. Using this blood component separation technique, one can reduce the CPD/additive solution 4-pack blood bag system to a less expensive 3-pack blood bag system.