Background and objectives: The phenomenon of aggregates in apheresis-derived platelet concentrates (APCs) has not yet been fully elucidated. Initially, visible aggregates (IVA) usually dissolve within 24 h after collection, but some persist till the end of the shelf life (persistent aggregates, PA). A study conducted at the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine aimed to identify factors that influence the aggregate occurrence in APCs.
Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study for the 2018-2022 period and collected data on APCs with IVA. We analysed APCs discarded due to PA separately for two apheresis technologies and compared them to the control group.
Results: Significantly more donations were discarded in the IVA group compared with the control group and total number of discarded APCs. A total of 205 APCs were discarded due to PA (14.7% of IVA APCs and 1.27% of all APCs collected). Amicus APCs with PA had a significantly lower platelet count and mean platelet volume. They were obtained by procedures with less anticoagulant used. In contrast to Amicus APCs, Haemonetics APCs with PA had a significantly higher platelet count. None of the donor-related factors examined was predictive of PA.
Conclusion: APCs with IVA are more often discarded, not only due to aggregates, but also for impairment of other quality control parameters. Type of apheresis technology, being one of the most common risk factors for IVA, was not confirmed as the main risk factor for PA. There seem to be some donor-related causal factors.
Keywords: blood donation; plateletpheresis; quality control.
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