Preparation of Granulocyte‐Poor Red Blood Cells by Microaggregate Filtration

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Abstract
A simple, effective method for removing granulocytes from stored blood is described. Microaggregate filtration removes .apprx. 95% of the granulocytes from blood which was stored for 2 wk, centrifuged and filtered. The mean number of remaining leukocytes is 8 .+-. 3.7 .times. 108/U. The residual white cell population, which is composed almost entirely of lymphocytes, is substantially less than the average number of cells previously associated with febrile reactions. Forty-five patients were selected for the study. All had significant febrile transfusion reaction histories and averaged 1 reaction for every 3.6 U of conventional red cell product transfused. Administration of 212 U of microaggregate filtered granulocyte poor red cells caused a 95% reduction in the incidence of clinical blood bank, and does not require open-system processing. These considerations make microaggregate filtration a logical 1st choice method for the preparation of granulocyte-poor red blood cells.