Effects of extended storage of whole blood before leucocyte depletion on coagulation factors in plasma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucocyte-depleted plasma produced from leucocyte-depleted whole blood, stored for different periods of times before filtration through polyurethane filters.

Whole blood was collected, from 48 voluntary donors, into quadruple blood bag sets with integrated whole-blood filters, and stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 6, or 18 h before filtration. Five samples were taken: one directly from the donor; one immediately after collection; one before and one after filtration; and one from plasma units before freezing. All samples were analysed for the following parameters: prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin fragments F1+2; fibrinogen; factors VIII, XI and XII; von Willebrand factor antigen; ristocetin cofactor activity; collagen-binding capacity; multimers; and complement C3a-desArg.

Different whole-blood storage times before filtration did not have a significant effect on the stability of coagulation factors. The activity of all investigated coagulation factors in plasma was generally above 90 U/dl, even after 18 h of storage of whole blood before filtration. von Willebrand factor multimeric distribution remained stable throughout the process. However, activation of complement did occur during storage.

Leucodepleted plasma originating from leucodepleted whole blood maintains a satisfactory level of coagulation factors, even after the storage of whole blood for 18 h at room temperature before filtration.