In vitro characteristics of volume‐reduced platelet concentrate stored in syringes

Abstract

For convenience, small volumes of platelet concentrate (PC) intended for neonatal patients are often dispensed in syringes. The PC, however, may remain in the syringe for up to several hours before the actual transfusion. As there are few data on the effect of such syringe storage on PCs, the in vitro syringe storage properties of small volumes of 1- and 5-day-old units, and volume-reduced units of PC were evaluated. In four separate experiments, PCs were stored in syringes in volumes of 10, 15, or 30 mL for up to 6 hours at 20 to 24 degrees C without agitation. Platelets were evaluated for pH, platelet count, and a variety of biochemical and in vitro functional assays. Results showed that even with the equivalent of a full unit of platelets stored in the syringe for up to 6 hours, the pH did not fall below 6.0. Although there was an increase in lactate production and consumption of glucose, which paralleled the decline in pH, the changes were not greater than those seen in platelets stored up to 5 days in gas-permeable blood bags. Similar results were seen for PCs stored in syringes for 6 hours at 37 degrees C. All of the pH levels recorded at the end of 6 hours of syringe storage were above the minimum required level of pH 6.0. Data from in vitro platelet assays imply that at any time during their shelf life, PCs can be stored in gas-impermeable polypropylene syringes for up to 6 hours and can maintain acceptable storage characteristics; in vivo data are needed to confirm these observations.

The Functional Integrity of Platelets in Volume-Reduced Platelet Concentrates

“…In our study, we nearly doubled the platelet count in volume-reduced PCs after plasma depletion. This was comparable with results from Pisciotto et al (10).…”

Effects of storage duration and volume on the quality of leukoreduced apheresis‐derived platelets: implications for pediatric transfusion medicine

“…This outcome resulted despite the volume reduction of some units along with decreases in pH with reciprocal increases in lactate concentration. 14,15 Additional studies have confirmed these findings. 7 Furthermore, volume reduction of LR-ADP, a common practice in neonatal and pediatric transfusion medicine, has been reported to result in increased spontaneous in vitro PLT activation with resultant decreased aggregability.…”

“…One publication has demonstrated that the temporary storage of leukoreduced PLT concentrates in gas‐impermeable syringes has had no adverse effect on PLT function or increased PLT activation for up to a 6‐hour storage period. This outcome resulted despite the volume reduction of some units along with decreases in pH with reciprocal increases in lactate concentration 14,15 . Additional studies have confirmed these findings 7 .…”

Volume‐reduced platelet concentrates: optimization of production and storage conditions

“…Other publications on volume‐reduced PCs report PLT concentrations in the range of 2 × 10 9 to 3 × 10 9 /mL, that is, six times lower than in our volume‐reduced concentrates. Pisciotto and colleagues 10,11 used PRP‐derived PCs from one whole blood donation as starting material before concentration, resulting in a final PLT concentration of 2.16 × 10 9 ± 0.36 × 10 9 /mL in a syringe stored up to 6 hours. They found fewer changes in in vitro variables than our study, likely due to the six times lower PLT concentration, but similar effects (increased lactate production, lower pH) were observed, while CD62P expression and morphology scores were better maintained than in our experiments.…”