What about components manufactured prior to the introduction of leucodepletion, for example frozen units of rare blood?
In such situations, an ARCBS Transfusion Medicine Specialist will discuss the available options with the treating clinician concerned. Frozen red cells are prepared by adding glycerol to red cells as a cryoprotective agent before freezing. The glycerol must be removed from the thawed component by washing the cells with sodium chloride before it is infused. This washing process does render the red cells substantially leucocyte reduced. All future collections of red cells destined for freezing will be pre-storage leucodepleted.
Related Questions
- If a blood center leukoreduces all of its units, should they also use enhanced visual inspection procedures following leukoreduction?
- What about components manufactured prior to the introduction of leucodepletion, for example frozen units of rare blood?
- Does the leucodepletion process mean that there will no longer be a need for CMV negative blood components?