BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucocyte-depleted plasma produced from leucocyte-depleted whole blood, stored for different periods of times before filtration through polyurethane filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood was collected, from 48 voluntary donors, into quadruple blood bag sets with integrated whole-blood filters, and stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 6, or 18 h before filtration. Five samples were taken: one directly from the donor; one immediately after collection; one before and one after filtration; and one from plasma units before freezing. All samples were analysed for the following parameters: prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin fragments F1+2; fibrinogen; factors VIII, XI and XII; von Willebrand factor antigen; ristocetin cofactor activity; collagen-binding capacity; multimers; and complement C3a-desArg. RESULTS: Different whole-blood storage times before filtration did not have a significant effect on the stability of coagulation factors. The activity of all investigated coagulation factors in plasma was generally above 90 U/dl, even after 18 h of storage of whole blood before filtration. von Willebrand factor multimeric distribution remained stable throughout the process. However, activation of complement did occur during storage. CONCLUSIONS: Leucodepleted plasma originating from leucodepleted whole blood maintains a satisfactory level of coagulation factors, even after the storage of whole blood for 18 h at room temperature before filtration.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucocyte-depleted plasma produced from leucocyte-depleted whole blood, stored for different periods of times before filtration through polyurethane filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood was collected, from 48 voluntary donors, into quadruple blood bag sets with integrated whole-blood filters, and stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 6, or 18 h before filtration. Five samples were taken: one directly from the donor; one immediately after collection; one before and one after filtration; and one from plasma units before freezing. All samples were analysed for the following parameters: prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin fragments F1+2; fibrinogen; factors VIII, XI and XII; von Willebrand factor antigen; ristocetin cofactor activity; collagen-binding capacity; multimers; and complement C3a-desArg. RESULTS: Different whole-blood storage times before filtration did not have a significant effect on the stability of coagulation factors. The activity of all investigated coagulation factors in plasma was generally above 90 U/dl, even after 18 h of storage of whole blood before filtration. von Willebrand factor multimeric distribution remained stable throughout the process. However, activation of complement did occur during storage. CONCLUSIONS: Leucodepleted plasma originating from leucodepleted whole blood maintains a satisfactory level of coagulation factors, even after the storage of whole blood for 18 h at room temperature before filtration.