An overview of three methods used to prepare the platelet components from whole blood and apheresis method

There are different ways to prepare platelets. Every one of these methods can have advantages and limitations for blood transfusion centers, donors, and patients. Knowledge of them is necessary for choosing the proper technique in blood transfusion centers. This article reviewed the methods of preparing platelets and compared them.

Studies related to the preparation of platelet components, the texts of articles, and review references were extracted. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Magiran, SID, Google, and Google Scholar search engines were used for keywords such as blood component, platelet-rich plasma, platelet concentrate, buffy-coat method, platelet storage, buffy-coat pooled platelet, plateletpheresis, pathogen inactivation, Overnight storage, preparation concentrate, Leukofiltered platelets from May to June 2022.

Studies comparing platelet preparation methods have had different results. One of the advantages of Buffy–coat method may be less activation, as platelets are centrifuged against a cushion of RBCs rather than the plastic container during PRP-PC production. Some recent findings have shown that the quality and clinical effectiveness of the buffy-Coat technique is better than Platelets Rich plasma (PRP) and is equivalent to the apheresis method. However, sufficient evidence is not yet available. The limitations of platelet preparation by the apheresis method, including the cost, declining apheresis donor base, and the time-consuming process, have led to the tendency towards other techniques. However, in cases such as platelet refractoriness, it is necessary to prepare matched platelets using the apheresis method.

To improve the quality of platelets and optimize the treatment of thrombocytopenic patients, it seems that the preparation of leuko-reduced pooled platelets is a suitable option considering the challenges of the apheresis method. With the advancement of techniques such as pathogen reduction and platelete additive solutions it is attempted for longer life span and safety.