Background: The importance of transfusing WBC-reduced blood components is widely recognized, as it reduces the risk of alloimmunization and transfusion-transmitted CMV infections. The latest generation of cell separators allows the collection of WBC-reduced apheresis platelet concentrates (APCs).
Materials and methods: Consecutive APCs (n = 232) were retrospectively evaluated: 163 collected with the Spectra LRS [leukocyte-reduction system] Version 5.1 (Group A) and 69 with the LRS Turbo Version 7.0 (Group B) (both: COBE BCT). Donor peripheral blood count, procedure data, platelet yield, collection efficiency (CE), and residual WBC count in APCs were recorded.
Results: The platelet yield was higher in Group B than in Group A: 5.5 +/- 1.4 versus 4.4 +/- 1.1, p<0.0001; residual WBCs were <5 x 10(6) in 99.4 percent of Group A APCs and in 97.1 percent of Group B APCs. CE was higher in Group B than in Group A: 51.4 +/- 8.7 versus 43.6 +/- 6.3, p<0.0001. Moreover, a correlation between predonation platelet count and platelet yield was observed in both groups. A double product (platelet yield >6.0 x 10(11)) was obtained in 28.9 percent of Group B APCs and in 9.2 percent of Group A APCs.
Conclusions: The Spectra LRS Turbo version 7.0 release showed a better CE and resulted in a higher platelet harvest than did the LRS version 5.1. High predonation platelet counts allow a higher platelet yield.