A prospective comparison of 3 approved systems for autologous bone marrow concentration demonstrated nonequivalency in progenitor cell number and concentration.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of 3 commercially available systems: the Harvest SmartPReP 2 BMAC, Biomet BioCUE, and Arteriocyte Magellan systems. We compared the number and concentration of progenitor cells achieved both before and after centrifugation and the percentage of progenitor cells salvaged after centrifugation.


METHODS
Forty patients, mean age 47 ± 18 years (range: 18-92 years, 19 male/21 female) were prospectively consented for bilateral iliac crest aspiration. The first 20 aspirations compared the Harvest and Biomet systems, and based on those results, the second 20 compared the Harvest and Arteriocyte systems. One system was randomly assigned to each iliac crest. Each system's unique marrow acquisition process and centrifugation mechanism was followed. Samples for analysis were taken both immediately before the marrow was put into the centrifugation system (after acquisition), and after centrifugation. The number of progenitor cells in each sample was estimated by counting the connective tissue progenitors (CTPs).


RESULTS
The Harvest system achieved a significantly greater number and concentration of CTPs both before and after centrifugation when compared to the Biomet system. There was no difference in the percent yield of CTPs after centrifugation. There was no significant difference in the number and concentration of CTPs between the Harvest and Arteriocyte systems before centrifugation, but the Harvest system had a significantly greater number and concentration of CTPs after centrifugation. The Harvest system also had a significantly higher percent yield of CTPs after centrifugation compared with the Arteriocyte system.


CONCLUSIONS
The Harvest system resulted in a greater CTP number and concentration after centrifugation when compared with the Biomet and Arteriocyte systems and may thus provide increased osteogenic and chondrogenic capacity.
*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; and †Metabolic Bone Disease Service; ‡Foot and Ankle Service, and §Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY.
Vishal
V
Hegde
Owolabi
O
Shonuga
Scott
S
Ellis
Austin
A
Fragomen
John
J
Kennedy
Valery
V
Kudryashov
Joseph M
JM
Lane
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002452:Cell Count; D002498:Centrifugation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013396:Suction; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult