Introduction of a closed-system cell processor for red blood cell washing: postimplementation monitoring of safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND: After introduction of a closed-system cell processor, the effect of this product change on safety, efficacy, and utilization of washed red blood cells (RBCs) was assessed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a pre-/postimplementation observational study. Efficacy data were collected from sequentially transfused washed RBCs received as prophylactic therapy by ß-thalassemia patients during a 3-month period before and after implementation of the Haemonetics ACP 215 closed-system processor. Before implementation, an open system (TerumoBCT COBE 2991) was used to wash RBCs. The primary endpoint for efficacy was a change in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration corrected for the duration between transfusions. The primary endpoint for safety was the frequency of adverse transfusion reactions (ATRs) in all washed RBCs provided by Canadian Blood Services to the transfusion service for 12 months before and after implementation. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from more than 300 RBCs transfused to 31 recipients before implementation and 29 recipients after implementation. The number of units transfused per episode reduced significantly after implementation, from a mean of 3.5 units to a mean of 3.1 units (p < 0.005). The corrected change in Hb concentration was not significantly different before and after implementation. ATRs occurred in 0.15% of transfusions both before and after implementation. CONCLUSION: Safety and efficacy of washed RBCs were not affected after introduction of a closed-system cell processor. The ACP 215 allowed for an extended expiry time, improving inventory management and overall utilization of washed RBCs. Transfusion of fewer RBCs per episode reduced exposure of recipients to allogeneic blood products while maintaining efficacy.

Quality of red blood cells washed using a second wash sequence on an automated cell processor.

BACKGROUND: Washed red blood cells (RBCs) are indicated for immunoglobulin (Ig)A-deficient recipients when RBCs from IgA-deficient donors are not available. Canadian Blood Services recently began using the automated ACP 215 cell processor (Haemonetics Corporation) for RBC washing, and its suitability to produce IgA-deficient RBCs was investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBCs produced from whole blood donations by the buffy coat (BC) and whole blood filtration (WBF) methods were washed using the ACP 215 or the COBE 2991 cell processors and IgA and total protein levels were assessed. A double-wash procedure using the ACP 215 was developed, tested, and validated by assessing hemolysis, hematocrit, recovery, and other in vitro quality variables in RBCs stored after washing, with and without irradiation. RESULTS: A single wash using the ACP 215 did not meet Canadian Standards Association recommendations for washing with more than 2 L of solution and could not consistently reduce IgA to levels suitable for IgA-deficient recipients (24/26 BC RBCs and 0/9 WBF RBCs had IgA levels < 0.05 mg/dL). Using a second wash sequence, all BC and WBF units were washed with more than 2 L and had levels of IgA of less than 0.05 mg/dL. During 7 days' postwash storage, with and without irradiation, double-washed RBCs met quality control criteria, except for the failure of one RBC unit for inadequate (69%) postwash recovery. CONCLUSION: Using the ACP 215, a double-wash procedure for the production of components for IgA-deficient recipients from either BC or WBF RBCs was developed and validated.

A quality monitoring program for red blood cell components: in vitro quality indicators before and after implementation of semiautomated processing.

BACKGROUND: Canadian Blood Services has been conducting quality monitoring of red blood cell (RBC) components since 2005, a period spanning the implementation of semiautomated component production. The aim was to compare the quality of RBC components produced before and after this production method change. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from 572 RBC units were analyzed, categorized by production method: Method 1, RBC units produced by manual production methods; Method 2, RBC units produced by semiautomated production and the buffy coat method; and Method 3, RBC units produced by semiautomated production and the whole blood filtration method. RBC units were assessed using an extensive panel of in vitro tests, encompassing regulated quality control criteria such as hematocrit (Hct), hemolysis, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels, as well as adenosine triphosphate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, extracellular K(+) and Na(+) levels, methemoglobin, p50, RBC indices, and morphology. RESULTS: Throughout the study, all RBC units met mandated Canadian Standards Association guidelines for Hb and Hct, and most (>99%) met hemolysis requirements. However, there were significant differences among RBC units produced using different methods. Hb content was significantly lower in RBC units produced by Method 2 (51.5 ± 5.6 g/unit; p < 0.001). At expiry, hemolysis was lowest in Method 2-produced RBC units (p < 0.05) and extracellular K(+) levels were lowest in units produced by Method 1 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: While overall quality was similar before and after the production method change, the observed differences, although small, indicate a lack of equivalency across RBC products manufactured by different methods.

Feasibility and transport of packed red blood cells into Special Forces operational conditions.

BACKGROUND: Transfusing packed red blood cells (PRBCs) into Special Forces may provide a survival advantage from hemorrhage-induced battlefield injuries; however, the effect of the unique operational stressors on RBC integrity is not known. METHODS: Pooled PRBCs (20 U) (7 days old), stored in Golden Hour containers, were exposed to the following simulated operational stressors: High-Altitude Low-Opening parachute descent from 30,000 ft, followed by a simulated soldier presence patrol in a climatic chamber set to 48 °C and 9% humidity for 12 hours (test). Biochemical (pH, lactate, potassium, and adenosine triphosphate) and biomechanical (percent hemolysis, deformability, and morphology) were measured to determine the integrity of PRBCs. RESULTS: The simulated parachute descent significantly raised pH (p = 0.025) and potassium (p = 0.014) levels compared with the control; however, this was not clinically significant. Lactate (mmol/L) and adenosine triphosphate levels (0 µmol/g Hgb) were unaffected (p > 0.05). Potassium and pH levels increased with time but not significantly compared with controls. Lactate levels were unaffected with time.Mechanical agitation of PRBCs from the simulated soldier presence patrol did not significantly affect the biochemical (p ≥ 0.08) or biomechanical (p ≥ 0.33) parameters compared with control.Hemolysis was found to be less than 0.8% at the end of 12 hours. No significant difference in RBC morphology and RBC deformability were noted. CONCLUSION: Carrying PRBCs into the austere Special Forces environment is feasible as biochemical and biomechanical markers of RBC stress remain within published transfusion safety parameters when PRBCs were stored in new cold technology containers for 12 hours at 48°C during a simulated Special Forces operation.

Coinfusion of dextrose-containing fluids and red blood cells does not adversely affect in vitro red blood cell quality.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion guidelines advise against coinfusing red blood cells (RBCs) with solutions other than 0.9% saline. We evaluated the impact of coinfusion with dextrose-containing fluids (DW) on markers of RBC quality. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A pool-and-split design was used to allow conditions to be tested on each pool within 2 hours of irradiation. Three pools at each storage age (5, 14, and 21 days) were created for each phase. In Phase 1, samples were infused through a neonatal transfusion apparatus alone or with treatment solutions: D5W, D10W, D5W/0.2% saline, and 0.9% saline. In Phase 2, samples were incubated alone or in a 1:1 ratio with treatment solutions and tested after 5, 30, and 180 minutes. Hemolysis, supernatant potassium, RBC indices, morphology, and deformability were measured on all samples. RESULTS: In Phase 1, RBCs transfused alone through the apparatus had higher (p<0.01) hematocrit, total hemoglobin, and supernatant potassium compared to all other groups. No statistical differences were identified between groups for other measured variables. In Phase 2, mean corpuscular volume of all samples containing DW increased with incubation length and were higher (p<0.01) than RBCs incubated alone or with 0.9% saline after 30 and 180 minutes. RBCs incubated with D5W and D5W/0.2% saline had greater (p<0.05) hemolysis than RBCs alone after 180 minutes. CONCLUSION: In vitro characteristics of RBCs coinfused with 0.9% saline or D10W were not adversely impacted. When developing clinical studies in neonates, we recommend use of D10W and a transfusion apparatus that minimizes the contact volume of the coinfusate with the RBC.

Quality of red blood cells washed using an automated cell processor with and without irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Sterile washing of red blood cells (RBCs) and use of an additive solution permits longer postwash storage. The effect of irradiation during this extended storage time is unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBCs were washed 14 days after collection using an automated cell processor and stored in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol. To determine how long washed and irradiated RBCs could be stored, units were irradiated 1, 4, 5, and 7 days after washing and in vitro quality was assessed. Determined limits of postwash storage time for washed and washed and irradiated RBCs were validated. Quality assessment included percent recovery, hemoglobin (Hb), hemolysis, extracellular K(+) , and adenosine triphosphate. Immunoglobulin (Ig)A levels were measured in the nonirradiated arm. RESULTS: RBCs irradiated 1 and 4 days after washing had unacceptably high hemolysis by Day 7 postwash, not meeting the acceptance criterion (<0.8% hemolysis in 98% of units with 95% confidence). Therefore, a 48-hour maximum storage time after irradiation was chosen. Storage limits tested in the validation phase were as follows: washing on Day 14 and subsequent storage for 7 days (washed RBCs) and washing on Day 14, irradiation on Day 19, and subsequent storage for 48 hours (washed and irradiated RBCs). All units met criteria for Hb, hematocrit, hemolysis, and sterility for washed RBCs. However, RBCs were washed with less than 2 L of saline, and IgA levels in 27 of 40 units were too high to be suitable for transfusion to IgA-deficient recipients. CONCLUSION: The extended expiry for washed and washed and irradiated RBCs met requirements for all indications except transfusion to IgA-deficient recipients.

Segments from red blood cell units should not be used for quality testing.

BACKGROUND: Nondestructive testing of blood components could permit in-process quality control and reduce discards. Tubing segments, generated during red blood cell (RBC) component production, were tested to determine their suitability as a sample source for quality testing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Leukoreduced RBC components were produced from whole blood (WB) by two different methods: WB filtration and buffy coat (BC). Components and their corresponding segments were tested on Days 5 and 42 of hypothermic storage (HS) for spun hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb) content, percentage hemolysis, hematologic indices, and adenosine triphosphate concentration to determine whether segment quality represents unit quality. RESULTS: Segment samples overestimated hemolysis on Days 5 and 42 of HS in both BC- and WB filtration-produced RBCs (p < 0.001 for all). Hct and Hb levels in the segments were also significantly different from the units at both time points for both production methods (p < 0.001 for all). Indeed, for all variables tested different results were obtained from segment and unit samples, and these differences were not consistent across production methods. CONCLUSION: The quality of samples from tubing segments is not representative of the quality of the corresponding RBC unit. Segments are not suitable surrogates with which to assess RBC quality.