Prestorage leukocyte reduction of cellular blood components

With the increasing demand for leukoreduced cellular blood components, many blood centers in Europe, North America, and Asia have begun to prepare leukocyte depleted cellular blood components prior to storage. Increased understanding of transfusion complications resulting from recipient exposure to residual donor leukocytes has focused attention on donor leukocytes during blood storage. This review examines production options for prestorage leukocyte removal, considers approaches to quality control, discusses proposed laboratory and clinical advantages of leukoreduction prior to storage compared with after storage, and suggests a strategy for cost-effective implementation of widespread prestorage leukocyte removal.