title: Preparation of red blood cell concentrates and plasma units from whole blood held overnight using a hollow-fibre separation system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ErySep system represents an alternative to centrifuge-based whole blood (WB) separation, using gravity and filtration through hollow-fibres (0·2 µm pore size) to produce red blood cell (RBC) and plasma components. The aim of this study was to characterise the quality of ErySep RBC and plasma units compared with standard products from WB held overnight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two ABO-compatible WB units (n = 24) were pooled and split to produce matched products. One of the WB units was separated into components using the ErySep system (ErySep; n = 12), whereas the other units were separated by centrifugation (control; n = 12). RBC units were stored at 2-6 °C and assessed for in vitro quality over 42 days of storage. Plasma was frozen at -30 °C and tested upon thawing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Processing WB with the ErySep system took longer than controls. The ErySep RBC units were of an appropriate volume (307 ± 17 mL) and contained sufficient Hb (50 ± 2 g unit(-1) ). ErySep RBC components contained more microparticles relative to controls at expiry. The plasma volume, total protein, coagulation factor activity (fibrinogen, FV, FVIII) and number of microparticles was lower in the ErySep units compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following overnight hold of WB, the ErySep system was capable of producing RBC components that met specifications. However, the ErySep plasma components did not meet quality specifications.
authors: Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Sydney, Australia.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Johnson
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kwok
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Marks
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D001793:Blood Preservation; D016238:Cytapheresis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010949:Plasma; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System
keywords: blood separation; filtration; plasma; red cell concentrate