White particulate matter: this time too much precaution

Factors affecting the formation of white particulate matter in red blood cell components

“…Some blood collection sets were recalled in 2003 because they were believed to be associated with an increased incidence of WPM formation 1,3,4 . We tested bags from recalled collection set lots and compared them with similar bags from lots that had not been recalled and with bags from a different manufacturer.…”

“…In 2003, several blood centers reported the presence of white particulate matter (WPM) in whole blood and in red blood cell (RBC) components 1‐4 . It is known that particulate material can be present in blood, especially platelets (PLTs), 5‐7 but the nature of the material that was being observed in 2003 seemed to be different and the proportion of units with the particulate material was higher than expected.…”

Understanding the donor can correct the nation's blood imbalance

“…This pattern has repeated itself over the past 15 years, although the duration and the depth of the shortages is worsening over time, and blood appeals are no longer limited to a few holiday periods. Indeed, the fragility of our blood supply is illustrated by what happened in 2003 when the Red Cross discovery of white particulate matter in RBCs in Atlanta temporarily suspended its blood shipments to Atlanta‐area hospitals 1 . The result was a widespread blood shortage causing emergency surgeries to rely on imported blood and elective surgeries to be canceled.…”

What´s floating on my plasma?

“…The formation of so called white particulate matter is a phenomenon which was primarily described in red blood cell units ( 1 - 5 ). In 2003, WPM was detected in blood preparations collected into Terumo blood-collection bags.…”