ABSTRACT
Reducing leukocyte (WBC) contamination of platelet (PLT) concentrates diminishes some adverse effects associated with transfusions. To provide WBC-reduced PLTs, we initiated a program using bedside filtration. However, the inability to easily quantitate WBC removal and PLT loss at the bedside prompted us to perform filtration in the blood bank. To establish optimal methods, production of WBC-reduced PLTs using the CS-3000 PLUS was studied in three phases, during which technical modifications were made. During phase 1, prestorage WBC reduction was performed using the PALL LRF-10H filter, sterilely connected. WBC reduction was satisfactory, but PLT loss was excessive. During phase 2, the PLT-30 collection chamber and Fenwal Closed System Apheresis Kit with Integral Sepacell Leukocyte Reduction Filter were used. PLT yields were improved, but now WBC contamination was excessive. During phase 3, the interface offset was reduced from 10 to 6, and both PLT yields and WBC reduction were satisfactory. Using this final method (CS-3000 PLUS, PLT-30 collection chamber, integral filter and offset setting of 6), the mean PLT yield per unit is 4.29 x 10(11) (N = 1,146), and the mean WBC contamination is 0.50 x 10(6) (N = 32).
