Why Choose Apheresis Platelet Concentrates?

Abstract

Apheresis systems for the production of single-donor platelets may be divided into 3 categories: those which collect high-yield products with low leukocyte contamination, those with high yields but higher WBC residuals, and those giving lower yields with high leukocyte contamination. Systems in the first category have clear advantages. Of the 2 methods for producing platelet concentrates (PC) from whole blood – the platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) and the buffy-coat (BC) methods – platelets produced by the BC method are better in terms of yield, WBC residuals, and in vitro function assays. In studies comparing the in vitro function of apheresis platelets and BC platelets, the apheresis platelets show better results in some assays, however, the differences are small. In a recent study carried out in Bristol, UK, corrected count increments (CCIs) for apheresis platelets were significantly higher than those for PRP platelets and not significantly higher than those for BC platelets. Use of apheresis platelets reduces the number of donors to which a recipient is exposed. A further reduction can be achieved if a larger dose of platelets is used per transfusion. A multicenter study carried out in France confirmed earlier findings that the platelet survival time in thrombocytopenic patients is improved if sufficient platelets are given to bring the post-transfusion platelet count above levels achieved with standard-dose transfusions.