Prestorage leukoreduction does not increase hemolysis of stored red cell concentrates.

BACKGROUND: In December 2004, Pall Corporation initiated voluntary recall of certain filters used for leukocyte-reduction of blood products. Although our center had not used the implicated lots, certain customers reported observing increased hemolysis in the red-cell units (RC) provided by us. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of hemolysis seen in RC produced by our center. METHODS: In the first-phase, we evaluated 20 leukocyte-reduced (LR)-RC, those judged by one of our hospitals to have the highest degree of hemolysis (age: 10-30 days; average=16 days). Results were compared to ten randomly selected non-LR-RC (age: 10-19 days; average: 15 days). Samples obtained directly from the RC were tested for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and supernatant-Hb. Percent-hemolysis (% hemolysis) was calculated. In the second-phase, the above measurements were made on 70RCs. Ten RCs were studied before and after leukofilteration on day-2 after collection. Ten units each (LR & non-LR) were selected randomly from inventory at days: 15, 30 and 40 after collection (LR-units filtered within 48 h). RESULTS: In the first-phase LR-RCs exhibited an average 0.06% hemolysis vs. 0.02% for non-LR units. In the second-phase the average % hemolysis before and after filteration on day-2 (LR: 0.04% & non-LR: 0.04%) was similar. While on days: 15 (LR: 0.09%, non-LR: 0.05%) and 30 (LR: 0.16%, non-LR: 0.13%) % hemolysis was slightly more in LR as compared to non-LR. It was the opposite for day 40 (LR: 0.19%, non-LR: 0.31%). However, none of these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The % hemolysis increased as the age of the unit increased. There was no significant statistical difference between LR-RC and non-LR-RCs. This data did not confirm our hospitals' concerns regarding increased hemolysis following LR.

WITHDRAWN: Prestorage leukoreduction does not increase hemolysis of stored red cell concentrates.

The Publisher regrets that this article was an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published in Transfus Apher Sci, 36 (1) 17 - 22, doi:10.1016/j.transci.2006.09.007. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.