Platelet Transfusion: Quality Control

The history of buffy coat platelet concentrates: The Dutch story

“…The criticism, especially from experts in the United States, was that the buffy coat method was 'terribly cumbersome' [11], presumably because of the many process steps, including careful clamping of the whole-blood container. Another comment was that the buffy coats were stored at 4 C before platelet separation, which was known to have a negative impact on platelet survival [12].…”

“…Another comment was that the buffy coats were stored at 4 C before platelet separation, which was known to have a negative impact on platelet survival [12]. The reason for the initial selected 4 C storage of the buffy coats was that platelets retained their adenosine diphosphate (ADP) response for 3 days [11],…”

“…As articulated by Schiffer [11], the method of buffy coat separation was indeed cumbersome, and needed a high degree of staff training. This automated separator allowed large-scale, standardized processing of whole blood into cell-'free' plasma, a red cell concentrate and a buffy coat.…”

“…Another comment was that the buffy coats were stored at 4°C before platelet separation, which was known to have a negative impact on platelet survival [12]. The reason for the initial selected 4°C storage of the buffy coats was that platelets retained their adenosine diphosphate (ADP) response for 3 days [11], in contrast to room‐temperature‐stored, PRP‐derived platelets [3]. Storage of buffy coats at room temperature was problematic, because the red cells and leukocytes produced a lot of lactate, resulting in a pH <6.5 within 24 h, which impaired platelet functionality and survival.…”

“…As articulated by Schiffer [11], the method of buffy coat separation was indeed cumbersome, and needed a high degree of staff training. Hans Loos had foreseen this, and developed an automated separator, of which a first prototype became available in 1976.…”