The effect of plasma removal from apheresis platelet concentrates on platelet function

The effect of plasma removal on platelet function has scarcely been investigated. Plasma removal from apheresis platelet concentrates was achieved by centrifugation at 5000 g for 6 min or 2000 g for 10 min. After resting for 1 h, platelet concentrates were resuspended in 0·9% NaCl. Platelet function was tested before centrifugation and after resuspension by multiple electrode impedance aggregometry (MEA) and light transmission aggregometry (LTA). Plasma removal resulted in 10-14% lower response to TRAP-6 by MEA using both washing procedures, whereas TRAP-6-inducible aggregation by LTA increased slightly (2-5%). Neither plasma removal method affected collagen-induced aggregation. Thus, platelet function did not deteriorate significantly by either method.