Buffy coat or platelet-rich plasma? Comparison of two platelet-processing techniques.

Platelet concentrates were produced by buffy coat and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) techniques. In vitro reactions of platelets were compared within 4 h of processing and even after 1 day of storage at room temperature. The only striking difference was between aggregation properties: platelets produced by the buffy coat technique showed increased aggregation. Red cell contamination is substantial in PRP technology. The two platelet-processing techniques are considered to be practically similar from a biological point of view.