Comparison between a new PVC platelet storage container (UPX80) and a polyolefin container

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Hematology

Background:

• Platelet concentrate (PC) quality declines during storage, influenced by gas exchange.
• Current polyolefin (PO) containers have limitations in gas permeability.
• Novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers (UPX80) with enhanced gas transport capacity warrant investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of UPX80 PVC containers versus standard PO containers for platelet storage.
• To evaluate the impact of enhanced gas exchange on PC quality, metabolism, and activation.
• To assess PC quality over an 8-day storage period.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of 1-L UPX80 PVC and 1-/1.5-L PO containers for storing filtered PCs.
• Storage in either GAC (gluconate-acetate-citrate) or plasma for 8 days.
• Measurement of gas exchange, metabolic, physical, and platelet activation parameters (CD62P, CD63).

Main Results:

• UPX80 containers demonstrated superior blood gas exchange compared to PO containers.
• No significant differences in platelet morphology or metabolic functions were observed between container types.
• Increased platelet activation (CD62P, CD63 expression) was noted in UPX80 containers after 6 days, particularly in GAC.

Conclusions:

• UPX80 PVC containers are suitable for PC storage.
• Enhanced gas exchange in UPX80 does not improve PC quality up to 6 days.
• Gas exchange beyond the capacity of PO containers does not influence the switch to aerobic metabolism in platelets.