The most commonly used methods for blood component processing are the "plasma rich in platelets method" (PRP), and the Buffy-coat extraction method (BC).The purpose of this study was to compare these two methods in the processing of blood components. Eighty-eight whole blood units (WB) were processed by the PRP method, 130 blood units were processed by the BC triple blood bag method (BCT) and 215 blood units were collected in quadruple blood bags by the BC method (BCQ) using an automatic extractor. A statistically significant difference was observed in the number in the total Hb per unit of WB between the BCT and BCQ methods (p=0.005) and between the BCT and PRP methods (p=0.007). There were also statistically significant differences between the BCT and BCQ methods (p<0.001) and between BCQ and PRP methods (p<0.001) in relation to leukocytes/mL. In the RBC concentrates, we found statistically significant differences between the PRP method and both the BCT and BCQ methods in respect to hematocrit levels, Hb recovery, total Hb, leukocytes, leukocyte depletion, platelets and platelet depletion (p<0.001 in all cases). We also found statistically significant differences between the PRP, BCT and BCQ methods for the volume, platelet recovery, and leukocyte depletion (p<0.001) in platelet concentrates. The use of the BC method is qualitatively advantageous as the blood components obtained present a lower quantity of leukocytes and plasma. The BC method with the use of quadruple blood bags for the production of PC from one BC unit is reliable, easy to standardize, allows good reproducibility, as well as better utilization of plasma and platelets.
Blood transfusion; leukocytes; Buffy coat; platelet concentrates; leukoreduction
