Quality assessment of seven types of fresh-frozen plasma leucoreduced by specific plasma filtration

Background and Objectives A study was undertaken to determine plasma quality after specific filtration. Materials and Methods Seven types of plasma were tested, after filtration of plasma from filtered or non-filtered whole blood. Leucocyte counting was carried out after a 30-fold concentration of the sample. Twenty-nine parameters (including coagulation testing, proteins, coagulation factors and activation markers) were measured before and after filtration, and after 6 months of storage. Results After specific plasma filtration, the average residual leucocyte counts were less than 2250/l. In spite of small statistically significant changes in proteins, coagulation factors and complement activation, this study showed that plasma filtration did not alter plasma quality. After 6 months of storage at -30 degreesC, factor VIII recovery varied between 91 and 109%. Haemostasis parameters and activation markers remained within the normal range. Conclusions Specific plasma filtration reduced the leucocyte number to < 10(4) leucocytes/l. The quality of plasma was not altered by the additional step of specific plasma filtration.