ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As universal WBC filtration of RBCs prior to storage is currently under consideration, few data are available on the performance of WBC-reduction filtration in routine practice. The pre-leukodepletion is thought to minimize the incidence of transfusion associated adverese effects such as HLA alloimmunization, non-hemolytic febrile reactions, platelet refractoriness, transfusion associated graft versus host disease and transmission of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the one of pre-storage and bedside leukocyte removal filter, leukocytes Bio R02 plusTM (Fresenius HemoCare, Germany) for packed RBCs. METHODS: In order to evaluate leukocyte removal filter of leukocytes Bio R02 plusTM, thirteen units of red blood cells were prepared and filtered using Bio R02 plusTM, and were measured the WBC count, RBC count, volume, sodium, and pH before and after filtration, respectively and the reduction power of white blood cell and biochemical changes in red blood cell units were analysed. RESULTS: There were 99.99% reduction in WBC counts, residual leukocyte content of 0.06 +/- 0.08 106 per unit and 8.69% of RBC loss after filtration, and there was no difference in the sodium and pH. CONCLUSION: The leukocyte removal filter Bio R02 plusTM showed sufficient leukocyte removal and RBC recovery efficiency for RBC units.