REMOVAL OF WHITE CELLS FROM RED-CELLS BY TRANSFUSION THROUGH A NEW FILTER

The effectiveness of a new filter (RC100) for the preparation of white cell‐depleted red cells (RBCs) at the bedside was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using three RBC products: standard RBC concentrate (CPDA units), RBCs suspended in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol additive solution after the removal of plasma (SAGM units), and RBCs suspended in SAGM after the removal of plasma and buffy coat (SAGM‐BC units). Median RBC recovery was at least 92 percent when 2 units were administered through one filter; median values for residual white cells and platelets were less than or equal to 20 × 10(6) and less than or equal to 2.5 × 10(9) per 2 units, respectively. The in vivo study was carried out in 80 multiply transfused patients with thalassemia, 35 of whom had experienced frequent nonhemolytic transfusion reactions when given standard or buffy coat‐free RBCs. During the 6‐month study, each patient was given two transfusions of each type of RBC product One febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction occurred in each of two patients receiving SAGM‐BC units, but in no other case. If the flow rate is not reduced, the median transfusion time is 35 minutes per CPDA unit and 15 minutes per SAGM and SAGM‐BC unit. It is concluded that the transfusion of RBCs through the RC100 is a simple and effective procedure to administer white cell‐depleted RBCs prepared at the bedside. 1990 AABB