Effect of cold storage on platelets quality stored in a small containers: Implications for pediatric transfusion

Abstract

Background & aimCold storage of apheresis Platelets (Plts) at 4 °C permits a better hemostatic products with longer storage lifetime. In pediatric transfusion medicine, limited data exists regarding the impact of storage temperatures on small Plts volume. In this study the storage effect of small-volume Plts aliquots for pediatric transfusions at either 22 °C or 4 °C on Plts quality including its functional and activation markers status was assessed. MethodsPlts obtained by apheresis from twenty five donors were stored at either 22 °C (room temperature “RT”) for 5 days with agitation or at 4 °C with and without agitation in small Plts containers and compared with their parent Plts as regard measurements of platelet counts, mean platelet volume, blood gas analytes, sterility, aggregation response, activation and apoptotic markers. ResultsPlts stored in small containers at 4 °C for 5 days showed a significant decrease in metabolic rate, and aggregate significantly better to different activating stimuli while Plts count was lower compared to RT-stored Plts (P < 0.05). In addition cold stored Plts showed a greater increase in Plts activation markers expression levels. No differences were detected between agitated and non agitated cold stored Plts. ConclusionSmall Plts aliquots for pediatric transfusion can be prepared and kept up to 5 days. Cold storage of small Plts aliquots in the small-volume gas permeable containers was efficient, perform better in functional tests and can maintain the quality and sterility of their parent Plts. Further agitation did not improve the cold stored Plts quality.