Seven-day storage of single-donor platelets: recovery and survival in an autologous transfusion study

Bacterial screening may effectively reduce the morbidity and mortality risk associated with extended storage of platelets. Platelet viability then becomes the primary determinant of acceptable storage time. This study evaluates the effectiveness of platelets stored in plasma for 7 days.

WBC-reduced, single-donor platelets (n = 24) were collected and stored by standard methods at two sites. Standard in vitro platelet biochemical and functional parameters were monitored over the storage period. On Days 5 and 7 of storage, platelets were alternately labeled with 51Cr and (111)In and returned to the subject, and recovery and survival were determined.

Component pH(22 degrees C) was maintained in the range 6.2 to 7.61 through 7 days and did not detrimentally affect either in vitro or in vivo outcomes. In vitro platelet characteristics were adequately maintained over 7 days. Day 5 platelets had better recovery (63.0 +/- 4.36 vs. 53.9 +/- 4.36%, p < 0.0001) and survival (161 +/- 8.1 vs. 133 +/- 8.1 hr, p = 0.006) than Day 7 platelets adjusting for radioisotope, center, and donor effects.

Although declines in recovery and survival were noted, these are less than used previously to gain licensure of 7-day storage and are unlikely to be clinically significant. Extension of storage to 7 days could be implemented with bacterial screening methods to select out contaminated components without a significant effect on the platelet efficacy compared to 5-day components.