Storage of platelets: effects associated with high platelet content in platelet storage containers.

Background: A major problem associated with platelet storage containers is that some platelet units show a dramatic fall in pH, especially above certain platelet contents. The aim of this study was a detailed investigation of the different in vitro effects occurring when the maximum storage capacity of a platelet container is exceeded as compared to normal storage.

Materials And Methods: Buffy coats were combined in large-volume containers to create primary pools to be split into two equal aliquots for the preparation of platelets (450-520×10(9) platelets/unit) in SSP+ for 7-day storage in two containers (test and reference) with different platelet storage capacity (n=8).

Evaluation of overnight hold of whole blood at room temperature before component processing: effect of red blood cell (RBC) additive solutions on in vitro RBC measures.

Background: Whole blood (WB) can be held at room temperature (18-25°C) up to 8 hours after collection; thereafter the unit must be refrigerated, rendering it unsuitable for platelet (PLT) production. Overnight hold at room temperature before processing has logistic advantages, and we evaluated this process in an international multicenter study for both buffy coat (BC)- and PLT-rich plasma (PRP)-based blood components and compared three red blood cell (RBC) additive solutions (ASs) for their ability to offset effects of overnight hold.

Study Design And Methods: Nine centers participated; seven used the BC method, and two used the PRP method.

Storage of interim platelet units for 18 to 24 hours before pooling: in vitro study.

Background: The Atreus 3C system (CaridianBCT) automatically produces three components from whole blood (WB), a red blood cell (RBC) unit, a plasma unit, and an interim platelet (PLT) unit (IPU) that can be pooled with other IPUs to form a PLT dose for transfusion. The Atreus 3C system also includes a PLT yield indicator (PYI), which is an advanced algorithm that provides an index that is shown to correlate well with the amount of PLTs that finally end up in the IPU bag. The aim of our in vitro study was to compare the effects of holding WB overnight versus processing WB fresh (2-8 hr), both with 18- to 24-hour storage of the IPUs before pooling into a transfusable PLT dose.

Storage of whole blood overnight in different blood bags preceding preparation of blood components: in vitro effects on red blood cells.

Background: Routines for the storage of whole blood (WB) overnight for the preparation of blood components on the following day are of increasing interest primarily for logistic reasons. The present study focuses on in vitro effects during storage for 6 weeks on red blood cells (RBC) prepared in different blood containers after being held overnight.

Study Design And Methods: Five different blood collection systems were used with either inline leucocyte reduction red cell filters for the preparation of RBC, buffy coat (BC) and plasma or WB filters for the preparation of RBC and plasma.

Storage of platelet concentrates from pooled buffy coats made of fresh and overnight-stored whole blood processed on the novel Atreus 2C+ system: in vitro study.

Background: The Atreus 2C+ system (Gambro BCT) automatically separates whole blood (WB) into buffy coat (BC), red blood cells (RBC), and plasma and transfers the components into separate containers. After processing with the Atreus, 4 to 6 BC units can be pooled and processed into leukoreduced platelets (PLTs) by use of the automated OrbiSac BC system (Gambro BCT). The aim of our in vitro study was to investigate the effects of holding either WB or BC overnight before preparation of PLTs by use of the Atreus 2C+ system for BC preparation.

Interruption of agitation of platelet concentrates: a multicenter in vitro study by the BEST Collaborative on the effects of shipping platelets.

Background: Transported platelets (PLTs) are not under continuous agitation. The aim of this study was to determine whether PLTs shipped between 24 and 48 hours would be able to maintain a pH(22 degrees C) value of 6.5 at the end of 7 days of storage.

In vitro pH effects on in vivo recovery and survival of platelets: an analysis by the BEST Collaborative.

Background: The pH environment of stored platelet (PLT) products is recognized as an important factor and is generally used as a key surrogate measure of PLT viability. It is the only in vitro measurement that has been translated into industry standards and regulatory rules or specifications for storage of PLT products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of in vitro pH on the in vivo recovery and survival of autologous PLT products.

Paired in vitro and in vivo comparison of apheresis platelet concentrates stored in platelet additive solution for 1 versus 7 days.

Background: To improve clinical access to platelet concentrates (PCs), prolonging the storage period is one alternative, provided that they are free from bacteria. The quality of platelets (PLTs) stored for 1 versus 7 days was compared by in vitro analyses and in vivo recovery and survival in blood donors.

Study Design And Methods: Apheresis PCs from 10 donors were divided and stored in PLT additive solution in 2 equal units for a paired comparison.

Storage of buffy coat-derived platelets in additive solutions: in vitro effects of storage at 4 degrees C.

Background: The aims of this in vitro study were to compare the storage of platelets (PLTs) at 4 degrees C with those stored at 22 degrees C and to determine the in vitro effects of preincubation at 37 degrees C for 1 hour before the analysis on the basis of the maintenance of PLT metabolic and cellular integrity.

Study Design And Methods: PLT concentrates (PCs) were prepared from pooled buffy coats (BCs) for paired studies (total eight pools from 160 BCs). Each pool was divided into four PCs and stored under different conditions: at 20 to 24 degrees C on a flatbed agitator, at 20 to 24 degrees C on a flatbed agitator and with incubation of the samples at 37 degrees C for 1 hour before the analysis, at 4 degrees C, and at 4 degrees C and with incubation of the samples at 37 degrees C for 1 hour before the analysis.

Defining the optimal storage conditions for the long-term storage of platelets.

Aging of platelets after in vitro storage at 22 degrees C is significantly slower than aging of platelets in vivo at 37 degrees C, a situation that may make long-term storage of platelets possible. Three approaches appear to be of specific importance: (1) to reduce the activation of platelets during collection of blood and the preparation and storage of platelet concentrates, (2) to reduce the metabolic rate of glucose consumption and lactate production, and (3) to make sure that glucose is available in the storage medium during the entire storage period. The activation of platelets can be counteracted either by the addition of platelet activation inhibitors or the availability of certain components such as potassium and magnesium in the synthetic storage media.

Transfusion of pooled buffy coat platelet components prepared with photochemical pathogen inactivation treatment: the euroSPRITE trial.

A nucleic acid-targeted photochemical treatment (PCT) using amotosalen HCl (S-59) and ultraviolet A (UVA) light was developed to inactivate viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and leukocytes in platelet components. We conducted a controlled, randomized, double-blinded trial in thrombocytopenic patients requiring repeated platelet transfusions for up to 56 days of support to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of platelet components prepared with the buffy coat method using this pathogen inactivation process. A total of 103 patients received one or more transfusions of either PCT test (311 transfusions) or conventional reference (256 transfusions) pooled, leukoreduced platelet components stored for up to 5 days before transfusion.

Storage of platelets in additive solutions: effects of magnesium and/or potassium.

Background: Previous studies indicate that platelet concentrates (PCs) in a platelet additive solution (PAS) containing citrate, acetate, and sodium chloride (PAS-2) show a significantly higher increase of CD62+ platelets than PCs in other brands of PAS containing Mg(2+) and K(+). To investigate whether this difference can be explained by the presence of Mg(2+) and/or K(+) in the storage medium, we performed paired studies comparing storage of PCs in PAS-2 to PAS-2 with either Mg(2+) or K(+) or both in combination.

Study Design And Methods: PCs from pooled buffy coats were prepared in either PAS-2 or PAS-2 with Mg(2+) or K(+) or both in combination (PAS-2 modified).