The effect of two platelet-rich plasma aspiration techniques on plasma cellular concentrations using a double syringe gravitational centrifugation system.

Objective: To identify which aspiration technique increased plasma platelet concentration and which technique minimized plasma leukocyte and erythrocyte concentrations using a gravitational double-syringe platelet rich plasma (PRP) system.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Animals: Thirty adult dogs.

Methods: Whole blood was collected into two autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) syringes and an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA tube) (control samples). The ACP syringes were centrifuged for 5 min at 1500 rpm. The proximal 2 mL of plasma from one ACP syringe was deposited in an EDTA tube (preflash samples). Plasma from the second ACP syringe was withdrawn until the buffy coat was pierced, producing a "flash" of red blood cells, agitated and deposited into an EDTA tube (flash samples). Complete blood counts were performed.

Results: Mean plasma platelet concentrations of the control, preflash, and flash samples were 2.4 × 10/dL, 3.3 × 10/dL and 4.1 × 10/dL, respectively. The mean platelet concentration of the flash samples was 7.9 × 10/dL higher than the preflash samples (p = .005). The mean platelet concentration was lower in the control samples than the preflash (p = .002) and flash (p < .0001) samples. The median plasma leukocyte concentration of the preflash samples (0/dL) was lower than in the flash samples (2.4 × 10/dL) (p = .001). The median plasma hematocrit value of the preflash samples (0%) was lower than in the flash samples (1.0%) (p = .002).

Conclusion: The flash method is not necessary to produce a PRP sample.

Clinical Significance: Both methods produced PRP. However, clinicians should avoid aspirating the buffy coat when processing PRP for therapies where leukocytes and erythrocytes are contraindicated.