A new automatic device for routine cord blood banking: critical analysis of different volume reduction methodologies.

Background Aims: Volume reduction is the usual process in cord blood banking that has some advantages regarding reducing the storage space and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) quantity in the final product. The volume reduction methodology must guarantee high cell recovery and red blood cell (RBC) depletion by reducing all the umbilical cord blood (UCB) units to a standard volume.

Methods: We analyzed and compared critically three different volume reduction methods [hydroxyethylstarch (HES), top and bottom with Optipress II and Compomat G4, and AXP] used at the Valencia Cord Blood Bank over 10 years.