Quantitative and qualitative analysis of proteins in fresh frozen plasma obtained from whole blood donations and prepared with two photochemical treatments.

Thirty-six fresh frozen plasma (FFP) units obtained from whole blood donations were used for 12 replicate experiments. For each replicate experiment, three ABO-matched FFP units were pooled and divided into three units containing different volumes of identical plasma. One unit was used as control FFP, one unit was treated with methylene blue plus visible light and one unit was treated with amotosalen and UVA light. The overall coagulation factor levels were better maintained in untreated FFP than in photochemically treated plasma. However, treated-plasma by both photochemical methods maintained coagulation factor levels that met or exceeded the European Pharmacopeia requirements for therapeutic plasma.

Efficacy in reducing potassium load in irradiated red cell bags with a potassium adsorption filter.

BACKGROUND: The transfusion of red cell (RBC) bags with high amounts of potassium (K(+)) causes concern about an increased risk of cardiac arrest because of transient hyperkalemia. To prevent K(+) overload, a K(+) adsorption filter (PAF) is available for use at bedside. The aim of the present study was to analyze the efficacy in reducing K(+) load in irradiated RBC bags with this PAF. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Whole-blood (WB) bags were collected from volunteer donors on Day 0. RBC bags were prepared from WB bags on Day +1 and stored at 2 to 6 degrees C. RBC bags were irradiated on Day +14 and filtered with the PAF on Day +28, according to the manufacturers' instructions. The plasma electrolyte levels (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+)) were measured at the different points during storage. RESULTS: Twelve RBC bags were prepared with a final volume of 274 +/- 15 mL. On Day +28, the volume of RBC bags was 257 +/- 15 mL, and the PAF was used at a flow rate of 4 +/- 0.7 mL per minute. K(+) level after RBC bag preparation was 1.28 +/- 0.59 mmol per L. The K(+) level was 60.6 +/- 2.68 mmol per L on Day +28, just before filtration with the PAF. After filtration, the level of K(+) was 3.42 +/- 2.91 mmol per L. CONCLUSION: This study has shown a high efficacy in reducing potassium load in irradiated RBC bags with the use of the PAF.

Comparison of blood component preparation methods from whole blood bags based on buffy coat extraction.

We compared the data of our quality control laboratory of the blood components according to the blood component preparation method that we used. We prepared blood components from top and top whole blood (WB) bags and manual pooling of buffy coats (BCs) (method I) or from top and bottom WB bags and automated pooling of BCs with OrbiSac (method II). Pooled platelet concentrates (PC) obtained with method II had higher platelet content when compared with pooled PCs obtained with method I (3.5+/-0.7x10(11) vs. 2.6+/-0.8x10(11); p<0.001). The hemoglobin content in the RBCs obtained with method I was higher when compared with method II (55+/-7g vs. 52.5+/-6.6g; p<0.001).

Infectious disease markers in autologous blood donors and first-time volunteer blood donors: 14 years' experience in a blood center.

The proportion of blood donors with positive infectious disease markers was statistically higher in our population of 3,614 autologous donors than in our population of 276,106 first-time volunteer donors (p<0.005). Our data suggest that our autologous donor population is not as safe as our first-time volunteer donor population.