Collection, storage, inspection and quality control of platelet concentrates obtained by apheresis: The situation in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Diverse variables are involved in apheresis platelet collection, processing and storage. This survey shows how these are realized in Spain. METHOD: An analysis of collected data was performed in a questionnaire completed by ten Transfusion Centers (TC) which perform between 50 and 520 apheresis procedures per month. This information comprises the procedures used to collect, inspect and store apheresis platelet concentrates (PC), and quality control data. RESULTS: Macroscopic inspection of PC is performed in all TC, especially during the first few hours post-collection and before distribution. The type of processor, duration of post-collection resting periods and temperature from the time of collection until distribution are similar in all TC. In 80% of TC, PC with small and scarce aggregates are distributed to transfusion services. The presence of clumps is influenced by type of processor, female donor, cold ambient temperature and collection of hyperconcentrated platelets, and is often recurrent in the same donor, although some TC have not found any influential variables. Overall, no objective inspection methods are followed, although there are exceptions. The degree of compliance with quality control parameters, such as the number of units studied, mean platelet yield, residual leukocyte counts and pH at expiry date, is acceptable in all TC. Compliance in terms of number of microbiological culture samples is variable. DISCUSSION: The usual practice in Spanish TC with respect to the collection, post-collection handling and storage of apheresis PC can be considered uniform, although some specific aspects of analyses should follow more objective methods.

Automated preparation of whole blood-derived platelets suspended in two different platelet additive solutions and stored for 7 days.

BACKGROUND: The Atreus system (Terumo BCT) automates the preparation of blood components from whole blood donations. Intermediate platelet (PLT) products can be pooled manually or with the OrbiSac (Terumo BCT) and suspended in different PLT additive solutions (PASs) to obtain PLT concentrates (PCs). The aim of our study was to compare the in vitro PLT quality of PCs obtained with either the Atreus 2C+ and the OrbiSac or the Atreus 3C and suspended in PAS-II or PAS-IIIM during storage for up to 7 days. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We prepared eight PCs from buffy coats obtained with Atreus 2C+, pooled with the OrbiSac, and suspended in PAS-II and eight PCs from interim PLT units obtained with the Atreus 3C and suspended either in PAS-II or in PAS-IIIM. We measured volume, PLT content, and mean PLT component and performed metabolic assays (pH, glucose, lactate, pO2, and pCO2) and flow cytometry analyses (GPIb, GPIIbIIIa, GPIV, CD62P, CD63, von Willebrand factor [vWF], fibrinogen, Factor V, and annexin V). RESULTS: PCs prepared with the Atreus 3C showed lower volume and higher PLT concentration when compared with PCs prepared with the Atreus 2C+ and the OrbiSac (p < 0.05). Glucose consumption rate and the expression of CD62P, CD63, and vWF were lower in PCs suspended in PAS-IIIM when compared with PCs suspended in PAS-II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PCs prepared with the Atreus 3C and suspended in PAS-IIIM preserve satisfactorily the in vitro PLT quality during 7-day storage. PLT activation during a 7-day storage period was lower when the storage solution was PAS-IIIM in comparison with PAS-II.

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.

Resultados preliminares del estudio en Banco de Sangre, Cataluña / No disponible

El aumento de población inmigrante procedente de zonas endémicas de Chagas ha creado la necesidad de una actuación en los bancos de sangre de nuestro país. Además, el reciente real decreto sobre hemodonación permite aceptar las donaciones de riesgo siempre que se realice el cribado para marcadores de T. cruzi. El objetivo principal del estudio iniciado en septiembre de 2005 en el Banc de Sang i Teixits es determinar la seroprevalenciade la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en la población de donantes de riesgo en Cataluña. Se incluyeron en el estudio los donantes de riesgo de Chagas (nacidos, transfundidos o hijos de madre procedente de área endémica) y viajeros/residentes en estancias superiores a un mes. El test de cribado utilizado fue el ID-PaGIA Chagas antibody test (DiaMed). Como test suplementarios se utilizaron el método Bioelisa Chagas (Biokit) y un ELISA in-house con antígenos nativos. Entre Septiembre 2005 y Septiembre 2006,se han analizado 1770 donantes. Por grupos de riesgo, hubo 1524 (86%)donantes nacidos en área endémica, 37 españoles de madre originaria dezona endémica (2%) y 209 (12%) viajeros. Hubo 21 donantes inicialmente positivos en el cribado, de los cuales 11 se confirmaron positivos (0,62%).La mayoría de donantes positivos fueron bolivianos (AU)

The increasing population coming from Chagasic areas has forced blood banksin Spain to take preventive measures. The recent Blood Donation regulation provides with the guidelines to screen blood donations at risk for anti-T. cruziantibodies. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in blood donors at risk in Catalonia. The risk groups included were donors born or transfused in endemic areas and donors whose mother was born in endemic area. Travellers or residents in endemic areas for more than one month were also included. The screening method was ID-PaGIA Chagas antibody test (DiaMed). As supplementary test, Bioelisa Chagas (Biokit) and an in-house ELISA test with native antigens were used. Between September 2005 and September 2006, 1770 donor sat risk were screened. According to risk groups, 1524 (86%) were donorsborn in endemic areas, 37 (2%) were donors whose mother was born in an endemic area and 209 (12%) donors had travelled or lived in endemic areas. Twenty-one donors were initially positive in the screening, of which11 were confirmed positive for the presence of T. cruzi antibodies (0.62%).The majority of T. cruzi positive donors were Bolivians (AU)