These data suggest that RCCs and FFP produced from WB that has been stored at ambient temperature with or without active cooling are of acceptable quality compared with those produced using current standard methods in the United Kingdom.

Summary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucodepleted (LD) fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) produced using one of five whole blood filters (Baxter RS2000 & RZ2000, NPBI T2926, Macopharma LST1 and Terumo WBSP) or two plasma filters (Pall LPS1 and Baxter FGR7014). Whole blood or plasma was filtered within 8 h of collection at an ambient temperature. Samples were taken pre-and post filtration for analysis of coagulation factors and complement activation (n 7±12 for each type of filter). All filtered units (209±286 ml) contained , 5 Â 10 6 residual leucocytes and , 30 Â 10 9 /l platelets. Statistically significant losses of factors V, VIII, IX, XI and XII and increases in markers of coagulation activation were observed (0±21%), which were dependent on filter type. None of the filters had a significant effect on von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimeric distribution or the activity of VWF and factors II, VII or X. The effect on levels of C3a appeared to be related to the filter surface charge: positively charged filters resulted in C3a generation, whereas negatively charged resulted in C3a removal. None of the observed changes are likely to be clinically significant unless subsequent processing of plasma (such as pathogen inactivation) results in further losses of coagulation factors.

MB removal, by either of the available filters, has little impact on the coagulation factor content of plasma, but freezing of plasma before MB treatment results in a small additional loss.

The maintenance of platelet function in vitro during extended storage of PCs in platelet additive solutions is dependent on the combination of type of additive solution and type of platelet storage bag. For all bag types studied, storage in PASII resulted in poorer platelet function in vitro.

Prion filtration does not appear to have a detrimental effect on basic in vitro measures of RBC quality or on blood group antigens as assessed by in vitro methods. However, prion filtration using the P-Capt filter results in loss of Hb.

From these in vitro data, blood components produced using the Atreus appear suitable for clinical use, with no clinically significant difference in the quality of components from WB held at ambient temperature overnight with or without active cooling.

From these in vitro data, PC produced from buffy coats prepared using the Atreus appear suitable for clinical use, and WB may be held at ambient temperature overnight without the use of active cooling devices. Optimizing the secondary processing conditions to handle Atreus 2C+ derived BC may increase the platelet yield.

No abstract