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Not all red cell concentrate units are equivalent: international survey of processing and in vitro quality data
Author(s) -
Shih Andrew W.,
Apelseth Torunn Oveland,
Cardigan Rebecca,
Marks Denese C.,
Bégué Stéphane,
Greinacher Andreas,
Korte Dirk,
Seltsam Axel,
Shaz Beth H.,
Wikman Agneta,
Barty Rebecca L.,
Heddle Nancy M.,
Acker Jason P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/vox.12836
Subject(s) - haemolysis , buffy coat , data collection , quality (philosophy) , data quality , medicine , computer science , operations management , statistics , surgery , immunology , engineering , mathematics , metric (unit) , philosophy , epistemology
In vitro qualitative differences exist in red cell concentrates (RCCs) units processed from whole blood (WB) depending on the method of processing. Minimal literature exists on differences in processing and variability in quality data. Therefore, we collected information from blood manufacturers worldwide regarding (1) details of WB collection and processing used to produce RCCs and (2) quality parameters and testing as part of routine quality programmes. Methods A secure web‐based survey was developed, refined after pilot data collection and distributed to blood centres. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results Data from ten blood centres in nine countries were collected. Six blood centres (60%) processed RCCs using the top‐and‐top (TAT) method which produces RCCs and plasma, and eight centres (80%) used the bottom‐and‐top (BAT) which additionally produces buffy coat platelets. Five of the centres used both processing methods; however, four favoured BAT processing. One centre utilized the Reveos automated system exclusively. All centres performed pre‐storage leucoreduction. Other parameters demonstrated variability, including active cooling at collection, length of hold before processing, donor haemoglobin limits, acceptable collection weights, collection sets, time to leucoreduction, centrifugation speeds, extraction devices and maximum RCC shelf life. Quality marker testing also differed amongst blood centres. Trends towards higher RCC unit volume, haemolysis and residual leucoctyes were seen in the TAT compared with BAT processing across centres. Conclusion Methods and parameters of WB processing and quality testing of RCCs differ amongst surveyed blood manufacturers. Further studies are needed to assess variations and to potentially improve methods and product quality.