White cell reduction during plateletpheresis:: a comparison of three blood cell separators

BACKGROUND: White cell (WBC)-reduced single-donor platelet concentrates (SDPs) can be collected by the newest generation of blood cell separators. Three WBC-reduction techniques during plateletpheresis were investigated in the present study with respect to WBC content and platelet yield. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The Amicus device used the elutriation principle for WBC reduction, and separations with periodically alternating interface position (PAIP) were employed in the AS.TEC 204. WBC reduction by in-line filtration was performed in the MCS+. Platelets were measured electronically and WBCs were determined manually (Nageotte chamber). RESULTS: In-line filtered SDPs showed significantly lower WBC content (0.088 +/- 0.178 x 10(6)) than SDPs that were WBC: reduced by elutriation (0.31 +/- 0.48 x 10(6)) or PAIP technique (0.89 +/- 1.57 x 10(6), p = 0.0001). Platelet yield (5.0 +/- 0.46 x 10(11)) was significantly higher in components obtained with the Amicus device (p = 0.0001). The AS.TEC 204 and MCS+ gave similar results for platelet yields: 3.15 +/- 0.63 and 3.28 +/- 0.71 x 10(11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The plateletpheresis systems studied allow the collection of WBC-reduced SDPs. In-line filtration resulted in the best WBC reduction. Some SDPs collected with the devices studied had a WBC content >1 x 106 per unit. Platelet yield was significantly higher in SDPs from the Amicus device.