Delayed Leukoreduction of whole blood with a platelet-sparing filter to increase low-titer group O whole blood production in the United States.

Background: Demand for low-titer Group O whole blood (LTOWB) is increasing for trauma. The whole blood (WB) platelet-sparing (WB-SP) filter enables leukoreduction (LR) while retaining platelet quantity and function; however, in the United States WB must be filtered and placed in the cold within 8 h of collection. A longer processing window would facilitate improved logistics and supply of LR-WB to meet the growing medical need.