Effect of inline filtration on ViaSpan cold-storage solution.

The effect of filtration on the particulate load in ViaSpan cold-storage solution was studied. Commercially available inline blood transfusion filters (SQ40S, Pall Biomedical) were inserted into the delivery-set port of polyvinyl chloride bags of ViaSpan (DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical). Particles in samples collected in particle-free vials before and after filtration were counted by a light-obscuration technique. The compatibility of key ViaSpan ingredients and of three commonly used additives (penicillin G potassium, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and human insulin) with the inline filter was also investigated. Filtration removed 56% of particles 5-10 microm in diameter, 71% of particles of > 10-25 microm, and > 99% of particles measuring > 25 microm. Flow rates with the filters were more than adequate for clinical use. Concentrations of constituent hydroxyethyl starch, glutathione, adenosine, allopurinol, raffinose pentahydrate, and lactobionic acid were not significantly affected by filtration, nor were the concentrations of any of the drug additives. Inline filtration of ViaSpan effectively reduced fatty acid salt particulates in the solution and had no deleterious effect on flow rate, ingredient concentrations, or concentrations of commonly added drugs.