Characterization of blood components separated from donated whole blood after an overnight holding at room temperature with the buffy coat method

Buffy coat platelets coming to America: Are we ready?

BACKGROUND

Buffy coat (BC) platelets (PLTs) have been used globally for many years. In 2004 Canadian Blood Services (CBS) made the decision to transition from PLT-rich plasma (PRP) to BC PLTs. We reviewed the benefits and manufacture process of BC and the implementation challenges involved.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A literature review was performed in the following areas: BC efficacy, donor population shifts, production and good stewardship of PLTs, logistic considerations with overnight holds, advantages of the overnight hold, the CBS experience, licensure and standards, and changes needed to produce BC PLTs in the United States. The aim was to analyze current practice and identify possible actions for blood centers and hospitals.

RESULTS

Implementation of BC would offer an additional source of PLTs to address the growing elderly population and the declining apheresis donor base. Substantial logistic, operational, and financial benefits were seen when CBS transitioned to BC with overnight hold.

CONCLUSIONS

Buffy coat blood products are widely used throughout the world. Recent conversion from PRP to BC by CBS showed that conversion can be accomplished with planning, communication, and partnership from all stakeholders. In conclusion, BC PLTs are worth serious consideration in the United States, but regulatory barriers in the United States will need to be addressed.

Preparation of red blood cell concentrates and plasma units from whole blood held overnight using a hollow-fibre separation system

BACKGROUND

The ErySep system represents an alternative to centrifuge-based whole blood (WB) separation, using gravity and filtration through hollow-fibres (0·2 µm pore size) to produce red blood cell (RBC) and plasma components. The aim of this study was to characterise the quality of ErySep RBC and plasma units compared with standard products from WB held overnight.

METHODS/MATERIALS

Two ABO-compatible WB units (n = 24) were pooled and split to produce matched products. One of the WB units was separated into components using the ErySep system (ErySep; n = 12), whereas the other units were separated by centrifugation (control; n = 12). RBC units were stored at 2-6 °C and assessed for in vitro quality over 42 days of storage. Plasma was frozen at -30 °C and tested upon thawing.

RESULTS

Processing WB with the ErySep system took longer than controls. The ErySep RBC units were of an appropriate volume (307 ± 17 mL) and contained sufficient Hb (50 ± 2 g unit(-1) ). ErySep RBC components contained more microparticles relative to controls at expiry. The plasma volume, total protein, coagulation factor activity (fibrinogen, FV, FVIII) and number of microparticles was lower in the ErySep units compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

Following overnight hold of WB, the ErySep system was capable of producing RBC components that met specifications. However, the ErySep plasma components did not meet quality specifications.

Evaluation of Random Donor Platelets Produced from Buffy Coat Stored for 24 h at Ambient Temperature: Should This be Implemented in India?

Whole blood derived platelets are made from platelet rich plasma (PRP) method or buffy coat (BC) method. In India majority of random donor platelets (RDPs) are prepared by PRP method. However, BC method offers the advantage of less platelet activation and fewer WBC contamination. Presently in India RDPs are prepared within 8 h of whole blood collection, whereas, in Europe this time limit is up to 24 h. Our aim was to evaluate the platelet count, WBC contamination, platelet CD62P expression, and biochemical parameters of RDPs prepared from BC within 8 h and within 24 h of collection. We prepared 40 units of RDP by the BC method from whole blood stored at room temperature within 8 h of collection (fresh BC), and another 40 units from BC stored at 22 °C for <24 h (stored BC). We analyzed the platelet counts, CD62P expression, WBC counts, glucose levels, pH, PO2, PCO2 in both the groups of RDPs, 24 h after respective preparation. The platelet counts from stored BC was higher in fresh BC. CD62P expression was low in stored BC compared to fresh BC. There were no differences of pH, pO2, pCO2 and glucose levels in fresh BC and stored BC. WBC contamination was more in fresh BC. Our study stored BC contained higher platelet counts, less WBC contamination and less platelet activation. We conclude that RDP prepared from stored BC is the better method for RDP production.

A comparison study of the blood component quality of whole blood held overnight at 4°c or room temperature

Background. The use of plasma frozen within 24 hrs is likely to increase. Whole blood (WB) and buffy coats (BCs) can be held for a few hrs or overnight before processing. Methods. Twenty-four bags of WB for plasma and 12 bags for platelet (PLT) concentrates were collected. The fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was prepared within 6 hrs. I-FP24 and II-FP24 samples were prepared either from leukodepleted WB that was held overnight or from WB that was held overnight before leukodepletion. The PLT concentrates (PCs) were prepared from BCs within 6 hrs (PC1) and within 18 to 24 hrs (PC2). The typical coagulation factors and some biochemical parameters were determined. Results. Compared to the FFP samples, the levels of FVII and FVIII in the I-FP24 and II-FP24 samples decreased significantly. The pH, Na⁺, LDH, and FHb levels differed significantly between II-FP24 and FFP. Compared to PC1, PC2 exhibited lower pH, pO₂, and Na⁺ levels, a higher PLT count, and increased pCO₂, K⁺, Lac, and CD62P expression levels. Conclusion. FP24 is best prepared from WB that was stored overnight at 4°C and then leukodepleted and separated within 24 hrs. PCs are best produced from BCs derived from WB that was held overnight at room temperature.

Process improvement by eliminating mixing of whole blood units after an overnight hold prior to component production using the buffy coat method

The elimination of a thorough manual mixing of whole blood (WB) which takes place following the overnight hold, but before the first centrifugation step, during buffy coat component production at Canadian Blood Services (CBS) was investigated. WB was pooled after donation and split. Pairs of platelet, red blood cell (RBC), and plasma components were produced, with half using the standard method and half using a method in which the mixing step was eliminated. Quality assessments included yield, pH, CD62P expression and morphology for platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, hemolysis, and supernatant K⁺ for RBCs, and volume and factor VIII activity levels for plasma. All components, produced using either method, met CBS quality control criteria. There were no significant differences in platelet yield between components produced with and without mixing. A significant difference was seen for RBC hemolysis at expiry (P = 0.03), but for both groups, levels met quality control requirements. Noninferiority of components produced without mixing was confirmed for all parameters. Manual mixing is laborious and has a risk of repetitive strain for production staff and its significance is unclear. Elimination of this step will improve process efficiencies without compromising quality.