Platelet additive solution suspended apheresis platelets: A new perspective for safe transfusion practice in patients with liver disease

Abstract

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common complications in chronic liver disease and perioperative transplant patients requiring multiple units of platelets transfusion. Aim: This study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of platelet additive solution (PAS) suspended apheresis platelets in such patients and to compare the in vitro quality of PAS suspended, and plasma suspended apheresis platelets. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in the Transfusion Medicine Department of multiorgan transplant center in South India from April 2016 to April 2017. AntiA and antiB isoagglutinin titers were analyzed in O group SSP+ suspended apheresis platelet concentrates (PCs) and response of both SSP+ suspended, and plasma suspended apheresis PCs were analyzed in patients by checking the corrected count increment (CCI). Results: Among 200 single donor platelet (SDP) products, 111 (55.5%) were SSP suspended and 89 (44.5%) were plasma suspended. There were no adverse transfusion reactions in SSP+ suspended PCs. Among 24 individuals with paired plasma suspended and SSP+ suspended SDP products, no statistically significant difference was found in CCI at 24 h. There was a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-anti-A and anti-B titers (P < 0.001). Ten donor units (23.2%) had titer ≥64 for anti-A and anti-B. Conclusion: The ex vivo storage of SDP in PAS offers several advantages in the harvesting of additional plasma for use as transfusable product and reduction of allergic reactions besides maintaining the quality control of platelets.

Keywords

• corrected count increment
• isoagglutinin titer
• transfusion reactions