Platelets stored in a new-generation container differences between plasma and platelet additive solution II

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In order to preserve platelet concentrates (PCs) with high yields, a new polyolefin platelet storage container (PL 2410, 1.3L, Baxter, La Châtre, France) with increased gas permeability in combination with a larger surface area has been developed. The storage capacity was studied with platelets in plasma and platelets additive solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Platelet concentrate pools (PCs) of different yields suspended in either plasma (PCs-PL; n = 30) or PAS II (PCs-PAS; n = 37) were prepared. For preparation of PCs with a low, intermediate and high number of platelets 3, 5 and 6 buffy coat (BCs) were pooled with different volumes of plasma and 5 and 6 BCs were pooled with different volumes of PAS II, in order to obtain PCs of equal volumes comparable with routine conditions. All PCs were stored on a flatbed shaker at 22+/-2 degrees C and evaluated on days 1, 2, 5 and 7 by determining platelet and white cell counts, pH (37 degrees C), pO2, pCO2 and swirling score. RESULTS: Platelet yields ranged from 1.5 up to 5.5 x 10(11) platelets/U. On day 7 all PCs-PL (n = 4) with platelet yields above 4.5 x 10(11)/U had a pH value below 6.8 (range 5.91-6.79). While 7 of 8 PCs-PAS units with platelet yields above 4. 0 x 10(11)/U showed a pH value below 6.8 (range 6.31-6.70). CONCLUSION: During 7 days of storage in a new 1.3-liter platelet container, the pH was maintained above 6.8 in PCs in plasma with a yield between 1.5- and 4.5 x 10(11)/U; when PAS II was used, the maximum platelet yield allowed for comparable pH maintenance was somewhat lower (4.0 x 10(11)/U)

Is red blood cell rheology preserved during routine blood bank storage?

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) units stored for more than 2 weeks at 4 degrees C are currently considered of impaired quality. This opinion has primarily been based on altered RBC rheologic properties (i.e., enhanced aggregability, reduced deformability, and elevated endothelial cell interaction), during prolonged storage of nonleukoreduced RBC units. In this study, the rheologic properties and cell variables of leukoreduced RBC units, during routine blood bank storage in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol, were investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten leukoreduced RBC units were stored at the blood bank for 7 weeks at 4 degrees C. RBCs were tested weekly for aggregability, deformability, and other relevant variables. RESULTS: RBC aggregability was significantly reduced after the first week of storage but recovered during the following weeks. After 7 weeks aggregability was slightly, but significantly, reduced (46.9 +/- 2.4-44.3 +/- 2.2 aggregation index). During storage the osmotic fragility was not significantly enhanced (0.47 +/- 0.01% phosphate-buffered saline) and the deformability at shear stress of 3.9 Pa was not significantly reduced (0.36 +/- 0.01 elongation index [EI]). The deformability at 50 Pa was reduced (0.58 +/- 0.01-0.54 +/- 0.01 EI) but remained within reference values (0.53 +/- 0.04). During 5 weeks of storage, adenosine triphosphate was reduced by 54% whereas mean cell volume, pH, and mean cell hemoglobin concentration were minimally affected. CONCLUSIONS: RBC biochemical and physical alterations during storage minimally affected the RBC ability to aggregate and deform, even after prolonged storage. The rheologic properties of leukoreduced RBC units were well preserved during 7 weeks of routine blood bank storage