[Use of leukocyte-depleted blood in patients treated with hemodialysis]

Red cells depleted of white cells can prevent febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions and may reduce or delay alloimmunization of HLA antigens and the transfusion of various viruses. Twenty-three patients maintained on hemodialysis who had febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions were analysed between 1976 and 1994. This reaction was first noticed in patients diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis approximately after receiving 7.5 transfusions. The patients were treated with washed red cells from 1976 to 1988 and from this period to 1994 tewy were treated with filtered red cells via Sepacell R500-A. With the use of these preparations, the febrile nonhemolytic reaction was eliminated. The latest advances in transfusiology include the preparation of all blood components without leukocytes.