Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the transfusion of leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates (PCs) could reduce HLA alloimmunization and platelet refractoriness. The authors developed a new porous polyurethane filter for the depletion of leukocytes from PCs and evaluated its efficiency in removing leukocytes. The new filter, the Imugard PL, is designed to be used without priming at the patient's bedside. The leukocyte removal rate, platelet recovery and platelet functions were studied. The leukocyte removal rate was higher than 99.9% when a pool of 10 units of PCs stored for 1-3 days or apheresis PCs similar in number to 15 units of PCs stored for 1 day was filtered.
The platelet recovery was higher than 92.5% for the apheresis PCs and 96% for the pools of 10 PCs. The morphology and functions of platelets were not affected by the filtration except for a slight increase of the response to aggregation and a decrease of mean platelet volume after filtration. The Imugard PL is effective in removing leukocytes without losing platelets and should help to improve platelet transfusion therapy.
