Latin American experience with blood component’s quality control obtained by buffy coat method

Abstract

Aims: To explore the compliance with European standards for the quality control (QC) parameters of blood components production in Latin American blood banks, evaluating QC data results processed with red blood cell (RBC), and platelet concentrates (PL) produced. Methods: An observational retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with data from one year’s production QC data of platelet concentrate (PL) from the buffy-coat (BC) removal method. Red blood cell was collected in three blood banks from Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. Analysis of the quality limits established in each country was made using Pearson’s Chi-square test. Dunnett’s T3 test evaluated the comparative analysis of the mean. All the tests were performed with bilateral contrast, achieving statistical significance when p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean of the total results for the RBC evaluated was volume 277 mL ± 21; hematocrit (HCT) 58.7% ± 3.6; leukocytes (×109/mL) 0.47 ± 0.31. Results for PL were volume: 67 ± 10; platelet count (×109/mL): 76.8 ± 24; leukocytes (×109/mL) 0.02 ± 0.02. According to these total results, the compliance with respect to the control performed was for RBC: Volume 97.9%; hematocrit 98.8%; leukocytes 97%. For PL was 100% for volume; platelet count 82.3%; leukocytes 95.3%. Conclusion: The QC results conclude that the RBC with the BC removal process produces high-quality components, with a reduced concentration of leukocytes, complying with European Union (EU) guidelines and allow to obtain single platelet from BC with high quality.