Effectiveness of a bedside filter for removing leukocytes from concentrated red cells.

The effectiveness of a bedside filter (Sepacell R 500A) for removing leukocytes was evaluated in vitro at a flow rate of 5ml per minute using two red blood cell products; normal concentrated red cells (N-CRC) and buffy coat depleted concentrated red cells (BD-CRC), stored for 5 and 10 days after blood collection, respectively.Whole blood 400ml was collected from healthy donors in a triple-bag or a quadruple-bag containing 56ml of citrate-phosphate-dextrose. Within 6 hours of collection, the blood was centrifuged at 1300×g for 6min in a Kubota 9810 centrifuge. The blood collected in a triple-bag was separated into platelet-rich plasma and concentrated red cells (N-CRC). The blood collected in a quadruple-bag was separated into platelet-rich plasma, a buffy coat and concentrated red cells (BD-CRC).Two bags of N-CRC and two bags of BD-CRC on the 5th day after blood collection were each filtered using one filter. Residual leukocytes were 5-61×107 cells and 0.3-14×107 cells, respectively. Two bags of N-CRC and two bags of BD-CRC on the 10th day were each filtered using one filter. Residual leukocytes were 1-11×107 cells and 0-0.5×10' cells, respectively. Red cell recovery was 84-93% when two bags were used with the same filter.After filtration of BD-CRC through the bedside filter, the residual leukocytes were lower than the results obtained from N-CRC, because about 75% of the leukocytes were removed with the buffy coat before filtration. This method may be effective for preventing the production of antileukocyte antibodies.