A randomized controlled trial comparing plasma removal with white cell reduction to prevent reactions to platelets

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that most reactions to platelets are caused by white cell (WBC)-derived cytokines that accumulate in the plasma portion of the component during storage. On the basis of this theory, the effectiveness of two interventions to prevent reactions, poststorage WBC reduction and plasma depletion, were compared. STUDY DESIGN: A multiple crossover design was used, in which platelet components for transfusion to a patient …