Factors affecting the formation of white particulate matter in red blood cell components.
BACKGROUND
Recently white particulate matter (WPM) in red blood cell (RBC) components has received increased attention. The nature and causes of WPM formation were investigated.


METHODS
Whole-blood units were collected from 18 healthy subjects with three different types of collection sets. Six units were collected into each type. Units were divided into four equal parts and stored for 4 hours: two parts at room temperature and two at 4 degrees C. RBCs were prepared from each quarter-unit: two by heavy centrifugation (5000 x g) and two by light centrifugation (2000 x g). Whole blood was inspected for WPM over 4 hours and RBCs over 1 hour.


RESULTS
No WPM was detected in whole blood, but WPM was detected in at least one RBC component from 9 of the 18 donations. The 36 components prepared by heavy centrifugation were more likely to contain WPM than the 36 prepared by light centrifugation (50% vs. 19%; p < 0.02). The incidence of WPM was similar among RBCs stored at room temperature and 4 degrees C. Donors of RBCs with WPM had higher total cholesterol levels than donors of components without WPM (191 +/- 20 mg/dL vs. 163 +/- 32 mg/dL; p < 0.04), but there was no difference in triglyceride levels between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
WPM is an expected consequence of standard RBC manufacturing methods, but it is more frequent in RBCs prepared by heavy centrifugation and from donors with higher cholesterol levels.
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1184, USA.
Hina D
HD
Patel
Karen M
KM
Byrne
McDonald
M
Horne
Susan F
SF
Leitman
David F
DF
Stroncek
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001782:Blood Donors; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D001793:Blood Preservation; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002498:Centrifugation; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006454:Hemoglobins; D002784:Cholesterol