Therapeutic efficacy of platelet components treated with amotosalen and ultraviolet A pathogen inactivation method: results of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and objectives: There are conflicting data regarding the therapeutic efficacy of platelets inactivated using amotosalen and ultraviolet A light. We have performed a meta-analysis to summarize the results of different randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Materials and methods: Five RCTs reported through March 2011 met the criteria for meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) in corrected count increment (CCI) at 1 h, CCI-24 h, and transfusion interval (days) and summary odds ratio (OR) of bleeding in inactivated platelet (I-P) group vs. noninactivated platelet (C-P) group were calculated across studies.

Results: Randomized controlled trials were statistically homogeneous when we analysed CCI-24 h, and the transfusion of C-P was associated with a higher CCI-24 h when compared with the transfusion of I-P (WMD, 3×10(3); 95% CI, 2·32×10(3)-3·69×10(3); P<0·00001). RCTs were statistically heterogeneous when we analysed CCI-1 h, transfusion interval and OR of bleeding. Regarding the OR of bleeding in the I-P and C-P groups, it varied by as much as a multiple of four among the trials, from 0·66 to 2·66. When we combined double-blinded and high methodologic quality score RCTs, the use of I-P was not statistically associated with an increase in the OR of bleeding when compared with the use of C-P (OR, 0·97; 95% CI, 0·75-1·27; P=0·84).

Conclusion: Although the transfusion of I-P was associated with lower CCI-24 h when compared with the transfusion of C-P, this was not associated with differences in the OR of bleeding between I-P and C-P.