Margriet J. Dijkstra-Tiekstra

Is red blood cell rheology preserved during routine blood bank storage

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) units stored for more than 2 weeks at 4°C are currently considered of impaired quality. This opinion has primarily been based on altered RBC rheologic properties (i.e., enhanced aggregability, reduced deformability, and elevated endothelial cell interaction), during prolonged storage of nonleukoreduced RBC units. In this study, the rheologic properties and cell variables of leukoreduced RBC units, during routine blood bank storage in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol, were investigated.

Correlation between the extent of platelet activation in platelet concentrates and in vitro and in vivo parameters

Background and Objectives  Platelet activation, which is necessary to stop bleeding, also occurs in vitro during the storage of platelet concentrates (PCs). However, it is unknown whether in vitro‐activated platelets are able to reduce blood loss in the patient. We studied correlations between platelet activation in PCs and in vitro parameters (pH, platelet count, swirling effect, storage time). In addition, we studied the correlation between platelet activation and in vivo parameters [the volume of thorax drain fluid as a measure of blood loss, platelet count, international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thrombin time (APTT)] in a clinical pilot study.

In vivo PLT increments after transfusions of WBC‐reduced PLT concentrates stored for up to 7 days

BACKGROUND: Bacterial screening and improvement of storage conditions of leukoreduced PLT concentrates (LR‐PCs) allows extension of their storage period from 5 to 7 days.

Platelet capacity of various platelet pooling systems for buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates.

BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) storage lesions might depend on the total PLT count in the storage container and also on the PLT pooling system, especially the storage container, that is used for preparation of PLT concentrates (PCs). In this study, the PLT capacity of four commercially available PLT pooling systems was studied.

Overnight or fresh buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates prepared with various platelet pooling systems.

BACKGROUND: For logistic reasons, possibilities to produce both platelet (PLT) concentrates prepared from fresh or overnight‐stored whole blood (fresh and o/n PCs, respectively) are convenient. The consequences of both possibilities are not well described. The PLT pooling system used might also influence the condition of PCs. Our aim was to compare fresh and o/n PCs with different PLT pooling systems.

Platelet concentrates from fresh or overnight‐stored blood, an international study

BACKGROUND: Whole blood and also buffy coats (BCs) can be held for a few hours or overnight before processing into blood components or platelet concentrates (PCs). Individual studies have reported a range of outcomes regarding in vitro variables for PCs prepared from fresh and stored whole blood. In this multicenter study, effects of storage of whole blood or BCs on the in vitro quality of PCs were studied.

White blood cell fragments in platelet concentrates prepared by the platelet‐rich plasma or buffy‐coat methods

Background and Objectives  White blood cell (WBC) fragments in platelet concentrates (PCs) may induce allo‐immunization in the recipient.

Hemolysis of red blood cells during processing and storage

BACKGROUND: During processing and storage, red blood cells (RBCs) undergo changes and cell injury resulting in hemolysis. Mostly, the separation of whole blood in top‐and‐bottom quadruple bag systems with break openings takes less than 4 minutes. However, longer separation times are not uncommon. The aims were to investigate whether hemolysis is increased in RBCs with longer separation time (RBCs>6 min) compared to regular RBCs (RBCsreg), to measure hemolysis increase during storage and to study whether frequency of hemolytic donations is donor dependent.

Crossover study of three methods for low-level white blood cell counting on two types of flow cytometer

Flow cytometric methods were previously shown to be preferable to microscopic and volumetric methods for counting residual white blood cells (WBCs). In this study, three flow cytometric, low‐level WBC counting methods were cross compared using two flow cytometers.

Comparison of various dimethylsulphoxide-containing solutions for cryopreservation of leucoreduced platelet concentrates.

Background and Objectives  Leucoreduced platelet concentrates (LR‐PCs) can be stored at 20–24 °C for 5–7 days. When LR‐PCs are cryopreserved they can be stored for several years. For cryopreservation to become applicable in blood‐bank practice, an off‐the‐shelf cryoprotectant is needed that can be added to the LR‐PC in a sterile manner. For this, we varied the composition of the cryopreservation medium and studied various parameters of cryopreserved LR‐PCs for up to 24 h after thawing at room temperature.