Background

The use of low-titer group O whole blood is increasing. To reduce wastage, unused units can be converted to packed red blood cells. Supernatant is currently discarded post-conversion; however, it could be a valuable transfusable product. The aim of this study was to evaluate supernatant prepared from late-storage low-titer group O whole blood being converted to red blood cells, hypothesizing it will have higher hemostatic activity compared to fresh never-frozen liquid plasma.

Methods

Low-titer group O whole blood supernatant (n=12) prepared on storage day 15 was tested on day 15, 21, and 26 and liquid plasma (n=12) on 3, 15, 21, and 26. Same day assays included cell counts, rotational thromboelastometry, and thrombin generation. Centrifuged plasma from units was banked for microparticle characterization, conventional coagulation, clot structure, hemoglobin, and additional thrombin generation assays.

Results

Low-titer group O whole blood supernatant contained more residual platelets and microparticles compared to liquid plasma. At day 15, low-titer group O whole blood supernatant elicited a faster intrinsic clotting time compared to liquid plasma (257 +/- 41 vs. 299 +/- 36 seconds, p=0.044), and increased clot firmness (49 +/- 9 vs. 28 +/- 5 mm, p<0.0001). Low-titer group O whole blood supernatant showed more significant thrombin generation compared to liquid plasma (day 15 endogenous thrombin potential 1071 +/- 315 vs. 285 +/- 221 nM*min, p<0.0001). Flow cytometry demonstrated low-titer group O whole blood supernatant contained significantly more phosphatidylserine and CD41+ microparticles. However, thrombin generation in isolated plasma suggested residual platelets in low-titer group O whole blood supernatant were a greater contributor over microparticles. Additionally, low-titer group O whole blood supernatant and liquid plasma showed no difference in clot structure, despite higher CD61+ microparticle presence.

Conclusions

Plasma supernatant produced from late-storage low-titer group O whole blood shows comparable, if not enhanced, in vitro hemostatic efficacy to liquid plasma.