title: Preparation of leukocyte-poor platelet concentrates via a short, hard spin of a pool of buffy coats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A new method for the preparation of leukocyte-poor platelet concentrates was developed, based on a short, hard spin of a pool of 5 buffy coats (BCs) combined with automated collection of the platelets.
  
  
  METHODS
  The characteristics of platelet concentrates (PCs) were studied as a function of the total g force applied to a pool of 5 BCs. Pools of BCs were centrifuged for 1 min with a total g force ranging from about 3,300 to 5,000 gmin (n = 7-9 per applied g force). Deceleration took place without the means of a brake. The total centrifugation time was about 11 min. The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fraction above the cell layer was separated by an automated component preparation device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A short, hard spin with a total g force of between 3,400 and 4,600 gmin resulted in PCs that contained on average more than 290x10(9) platelets and less than 5x10(6) leukocytes without the use of a leukocyte filter, provided that the transfer of PRP was electronically checked and terminated. The cell concentrations in the PCs are a function of the total g force. Both the platelet and leukocyte levels in the concentrate decreased with an increase in the total g force applied to the pool.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preparation of PCs via a short hard, spin of BCs, combined with automated collection of the PRP, may be an alternative method for the preparation of leukocyte-poor PCs.
authors.affiliation: Blood Bank Noord Nederland, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Delden
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: de Wit
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Smit Sibinga
mesh_terms: D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology*; D002498:Centrifugation; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes; D010976:Platelet Count; D013997:Time Factors