title: Evaluation of haemoglobin, haematocrit, haemolysis, residual protein content and leucocytes in 345 red blood cell concentrates used for the treatment of patients with β-thalassaemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of red blood cell concentrates obtained from donated whole blood, selected for transfusion therapy of thalassaemic patients, by measuring the following parameters: haemoglobin, haematocrit, percentage haemolysis, residual leucocyte count and residual protein content.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overall 345 red cell concentrates were evaluated, of which 205 had been filtered in-line pre-storage and washed and 140 were buffy coat-depleted and used within 2 days of collection. Of the buffy coat-depleted concentrates, 62 were leucodepleted and 78 washed and leucodepleted post-storage all within 2 days of collection. The off-line filters used for the leucodepletion were gamma-irradiated polyester with a pore size of 200 μm. The washing procedure was automated (Haemonetics ACP 215, Braintree, MA, USA). The haematological parameters were evaluated by a blood cell counter (Coulter, Ramsey, IL, USA) and the white blood cell count by cytofluorimetry (FACScan).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-five percent (194/205) of the red cell concentrates that had been filtered pre-storage and washed, 92% (57/62) of the red cell concentrates that had been leucodepleted post-storage and 94% (73/78) of the those subjected to both treatments had normal values of haemoglobin (>40 g/unit), haematocrit (between 50-70%), percentage haemolysis (<0.8/unit), white cell count (<1×10(6)) and residual protein content (<0.5 g/L). Five percent (11/205) of the red cell concentrates that had been filtered pre-storage and washed, 8% (5/62) of those leucodepleted post-storage after 2 days and 6% (5/78) of those that underwent both procedures had a haemoglobin content <40 g/unit and a haematocrit <50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preparation procedures had been carried out satisfactorily; nevertheless, transfusion therapy with some "low dose" normal units could be less effective and might, therefore, result in greater transfusion requirements in patients receiving such units.
authors.affiliation: Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy. romancini@scamilloforlanini.rm.it
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marinelli
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mirante
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matteocci
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Terlizzi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palange
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fioravanti
authors.forename: Lorella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Donnini
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pierelli
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins