Effectiveness of the Imugard E leukocyte removal filter for preparation of leukocyte-poor concentrated red cells

Concentrated red cells (CRC) were filtered through a new leukocyte removal filter, the Imugard E, which consists of a polyvinyl alcohol porous sheet. CRC were filtered through the Imugard E with neither priming before filtration nor rinsing after filtration. Leukocyte removal was 99.1 +/- 0.6, 99.6 +/- 0.3 and 99.6 +/- 0.4% on the 1st, 5th and 10th day after blood collection, respectively. Platelet removal was 96 +/- 2, 81 +/- 6 and 85 +/- 3% on the 1st, 5th and 10th day, respectively. Red cell recovery was 86 +/- 2, 86 +/- 1 and 86 +/- 1% on the 1st 5th and 10th day, respectively. Filtration time was 3.9 +/- 0.8, 5.8 +/- 0.9 and 6.1 +/- 0.8 min on the 1st, 5th and 10th day, respectively. Direct filtration of CRC through the Imugard E resulted in no significant changes in the ATP or 2,3-DPG concentrations, and no hemolysis due to filtration was noticed. It may be concluded that the Imugard E is a good filter that is simple to use and effective in leukocyte removal.