Platelet Poor Plasma Preparation Abstract:

As activated platelets can cause interference in coagulation assays, CAP noted that coagulation samples must have a platelet count below 10,000/μL, often called platelet poor plasma (PPP)⁽¹⁾.

PPP is achieved via centrifugation; however, the current standard spin time is between 10-15 minutes⁽²⁾, increasing turnaround time (TAT) for STAT samples. The purpose of this study is to determine if PPP can be achieved with STAT settings. Utilizing data collected from Mount Nittany Medical Center and ACMH Hospital, it was found that the DASH Apex centrifuge settings (Figure 1) can achieve PPP in just 5-6 minutes, reducing TAT and getting results in record time.

Platelet Poor Plasma Preparation:

BD Vacutainer® Sodium Citrate tube types were spun in a Drucker DASH Apex centrifuge, utilizing the settings noted in Figure 1. Samples were collected from volunteer donors. Specimens processed using the DASH Apex 6 and 12 centrifuge settings (Figure 1) were transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, PA for analysis. Specimens processed inthe DASH Apex 24 centrifuge were drawn and analyzed at ACMH Hospital in Kittanning, PA. Specimens collected at ACMH hospital were also compared to their current centrifugation settings (10 minutes, 1300 xg).  Specimens were measured for plasma platelet counts and analyzed within two hours after sample collection. 20 samples were analyzed using the DASH Apex 6 and 12 settings, and 30 samples were analyzed using the Apex 24 settings (Figure 1).

Results of Centrifugation:

After centrifugation in a Drucker DASH Apex unit, it can be seen that the average platelet count is under 10,000/μL (See Figure 2). Depicted on Figure 3, comparative results of the DASH Apex 24 settings and Hettich Rotina 380 centrifuge show no significant results in platelet count when reducing spin time to 6 minutes.  Detailed results may be viewed under Addendum A.

Conclusion:

Drucker DASH Apex centrifuges reliably delivered the platelet counts needed to produce PPP with BD Vacutainer® Sodium Citrate tubes. When tested against longer spin PPP alternatives, DASH Apex delivered equivalent separation in half the time. Using STAT settings (5 minutes, 4000 xg or 6 minutes, 3000 xg) samples achieved PPP 4-5 minutes faster than the Hettich Rotina 380 (10 minutes, 1300 xg) and 10 minutes faster than the current standard spin time (10-15 minutes).