Safety and efficacy of cryopreserved platelets in bleeding patients with thrombocytopenia.

Background: The short dating period of room temperature-stored platelets (PLTs; 5-7 days) limits their availability at far-forward combat facilities and at remote civilian sites in the United States. PLT cryopreservation in 6% DMSO and storage for up to 2 years may improve timely availability for bleeding patients.

Study Design And Methods: A dose escalation trial of DMSO-cryopreserved PLTs (CPPs) compared to standard liquid-stored PLTs (LSPs) was performed in bleeding patients with thrombocytopenia.

Stored packed red blood cells contain a procoagulant phospholipid reducible by leukodepletion filters and washing.

Background: Ageing RBC gradually increase the exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on their surface, due to loss of membrane asymmetry. PS expression on red cells is not normally a significant factor in the hemostatic process, because aged RBC are rapidly cleared from the circulation. We propose that the presence of many altered red cells during massive transfusion can lead to increased procoagulant activity similar to what is seen in disease states where it is known to play a pathophysiologic role in microvascular disease.

Freeze-dried whole plasma: evaluating sucrose, trehalose, sorbitol, mannitol and glycine as stabilizers.

Several groups report stability results for freeze-dried whole plasma intended for use as a transfusion product [Hellstern P, Sachse H, Schwinn H, Oberfrank K. Manufacture and in vitro characterization of a solvent/detergent-treated human plasma. Vox Sang 1992;63:178-185; Trobisch H.

New insulation technology provides next-generation containers for "iceless" and lightweight transport of RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C in extreme temperatures for over 78 hours.

Background: There is a universal need, in both civilian and military settings, for a lightweight container capable of maintaining RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C in remote areas, during extended transit times, and under austere environments. The use of ice in insulated containers or small commercial coolers for these purposes often results in loss of RBCs due to failure to maintain temperatures within the requisite range. A lightweight and thermally efficient container capable of carrying 4 to 6 units of RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C for over 72 hours under extreme conditions would help resolve current problems in RBC transportation.

Characterization of the main phase transition in 1,2-dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine luvs by 1H NMR.

The main phase transition (Tm) of 100 nm large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) of 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was investigated using 1H NMR (proton magnetic resonance) in deuterium oxide, and both DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and IR (infrared) spectroscopy in water and deuterium oxide. The ability of 1H NMR to determine Tm was demonstrated and the values obtained were in general agreement with those observed with DSC and IR. However, the temperature range of the transition observed by NMR was significantly broader than that observed with either DSC or IR.

Physical and thermal properties of blood storage bags: implications for shipping frozen components on dry ice.

Background: Frozen blood components are shipped on dry ice. The lower temperature (-70 degrees C in contrast to usual storage at -30 degrees C) and shipping conditions may cause a rent in the storage bag, breaking sterility and rendering the unit useless. The rate of loss can reach 50 to 80 percent.