Novel platelet storage conditions: additive solutions, gas, and cold

Platelets are a frequently requested blood product today and are often in limited supply because of a shelf life of 5-7 days, depending on the country. Room temperature storage is associated with an increased risk of transfusion-transmitted infection. Plasma used for platelet storage is unavailable for other uses, and allogeneic plasma carries with it risks for adverse transfusion reactions. This review looks at recent activities evaluating alternative conditions for the storage of platelets.

New-generation platelet additive solutions are being evaluated and applied as a strategy to reduce the volume of allogeneic plasma transfused and to support storage following pathogen reduction treatments. There is a renewed interest in refrigerator temperature and frozen storage of platelets to improve availability, to reduce septic transfusion risk, and to enhance hemostatic efficacy in the bleeding patient.

Use of platelet additive solutions has been shown to reduce the incidence of allergic and nonhemolytic febrile transfusion reactions in two large studies. Results of ongoing research and new clinical trials in cold storage methods will be forthcoming and may present solutions for platelet availability problems and new choices for therapeutic transfusion of the bleeding patient.