Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is prepared within 8-10 hours after collection to ensure preservation of coagulation factors however, adherence to this time is a challenge. Extended processing time is an option to overcome it. This study was done to evaluate haemostatic proteins after extended time. Methods: Blood collected from a mobile donation centre was divided into three (3) groups before processed into plasma. Group 1 (n=42) was prepared within 8 hours post collection. Group 2 (n=42) was prepared after overnight and stored at room temperature. Group 3 (n=42) was prepared after overnight but stored at 2-6⁰C. Plasma haemostatic proteins were measured in all groups and mean activity of each level was compared using One-way ANOVA. Results: There was no reduction in all the haemostatic proteins in plasma prepared from overnight storage (Groups 2 and 3) compared to Group 1 except for Factors VIII and V whilst PT was not significantly prolonged. aPTT was significantly prolonged in both Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. There were 25.7% and 35.2% reduction of Factor VIII levels in Groups 2 and 3 respectively, however levels were above 60%. There is 8.7% reduction in Factor V level but the mean factor activity was above 90%. Comparing Groups 2 and 3, there was no significant difference in activity of all haemostatic proteins. Conclusions: Haemostatic proteins are preserved in plasma prepared from blood stored overnight. Prolongation of the APTT is reflected by reduction in Factor VIII activity but still within the normal reference range.
Introduction: Platelet aggregation test using light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is considered as the gold
standard for evaluation of platelet function. Variations of platelet aggregation had been reported in apparently
healthy individuals whereby a normal cut–off value established locally is highly recommended. This study aims
to determine the platelet aggregation pattern and the preliminary findings on reference values for
multiple agonists–induced platelet aggregation among Malaysian healthy individuals in a single centre.
Method: A total number of 63 informed consented healthy individuals consisted of Malay, Chinese and Indian
were recruited among staff and blood donors at National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Platelet aggregation was
measured using LTA against adenosine diphosphate 10 µM (ADP10), collagen 0.19 mg/mL (COL), ristocetin 1.5
mg/mL (RIS), arachidonic acid 1 mM (AA) and epinephrine 10 µM (EPI). Results were expressed as percent final
aggregation (%FA). Reference values were calculated from mean±2SD. Results: Age, gender and ethnic groups had
no significant effect on platelet aggregation. A variability of platelet aggregation response to EPI was observed among
the healthy individuals. Ten of 33 respondents (30%) had impaired aggregation with
Photochemical treatment is one of the pathogen inactivation method to treat plasma, part of a proactive approach used for blood and blood component safety. Three photochemical treatments that have been used were methylene blue, riboflavin and psoralen treatment. This study was done on Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) to evaluate the treatment effects of psoralen, methylene blue and riboflavin on coagulation factors level. Methods: FFP was collected from apheresis plasma units and kept at 22oC to 24oC. A sum of 90 apheresis plasma units and segments were used, separated from each bag and a part used as controls, placed in a -30oC freezer for storage, thawed, and coagulation proteins function was evaluated before and after treatment, at immediate, 30 days and 270 days storage. Results: Significant differences in fibrinogen and coagulation factor levels between before and after treatment with methylene blue, psoralen and riboflavin. However, most of the mean values in treated plasma were within reference ranges. Methylene blue treated FFP showed the lowest changes in fibrinogen and other coagulation factors level whilst riboflavin treated FFP demonstrated the highest changes in coagulation proteins concentrations especially for fibrinogen, FV, FVIII, FIX and FXII. However, FXIII showed the best recovery for all three photochemical methods with reduction level of 3% to 8% compared to pre-treatment. Storage time comparison of immediate, 30 days and 270 days was inconclusive. Conclusion: The coagulation proteins in psoralen treated FFP and MB-FFP were adequately preserved, where MB-FFP showed better preservation than other two photochemical treatments.
Citrate is commonly used as an anti¬coagulant during plateletpheresis procedure. The calcium chelating property of citrate may cause hypocalcaemia when the anticoagulated blood are returned to the donor’s circulation after selective removal of platelet. This study aims at investigating how regular plateletpheresis affects calcium level and bone density in the donors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy donors at National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, from 15th January till 31st March 2016. Donors were divided into two groups based on the frequency of plateletpheresis donation: low frequency group - donors who had donated less than 20 times, high frequency group - donors who had donated more than 50 times. Dual emission X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was performed to assess bone density. Pre-donation blood sampling was taken for albumin level. Calcium and magnesium levels were measured before and after donation. Results: Fifty donors participated in this study where the median age of participants was 35.0 years for low frequency and 45.2 years for high frequency group. There was no significant difference in the corrected calcium for both groups before and after plateletpheresis. However, the magnesium levels were significantly reduced in both arms (P