In vitro evaluation of a new dual screen microaggregate filter.
We compared a new second generation 40/150 mum dual screen microaggregate filter with a currently available 40 mum screen microaggregate filter.  The evaluation included comparison of filter flow rate, capacity, degree of microaggregate removal, degree of leukocyte removal, and extent of filtration-induced hemolysis.  We also studied the effect of both devices on filtration of stored platelet concentrates.  The 40/150 mum dual screen microaggregate filter showed results comparable to that of the control screen filter following filtration of various types of units of red blood cells as well as units of stored platelet concentrates.  Importantly, mean flow rates with the new 40/150 mum filter of 45 g/min after gravity filtration of 1600 mL of blood, make the filter suitable for use in trauma or other massive transfusion settings.  We conclude that this new second generation microaggregate filter is suitable for use in clinical transfusion practice.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
P A
PA
Napychank
W
W
McDonough
T L
TL
Simon
E L
EL
Snyder
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008851:Micropore Filters