Extended storage of thawed platelets: Refrigeration supports postthaw quality for 10 days

Cryopreservation of platelets with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at -80°C increases their shelf life from days to years. Once thawed, platelets are stored at room temperature (RT), and the shelf life is limited to 4-6 hours. However, refrigeration (cold storage) may facilitate a prolongation of the shelf life of thawed platelets.

ABO-matched buffy coat-derived platelets (30% plasma/70% SSP+) were cryopreserved at -80°C in 5%-6% DMSO. Paired cryopreserved platelet components were thawed, resuspended in 30% plasma/70% SSP+, and then stored at either 20°C-24°C with agitation (RT) or at 2°C-6°C (cold). In vitro platelet quality was assessed over 10 days of postthaw storage.

During postthaw storage, the platelet concentration of RT-stored components decreased significantly more than components in cold storage (Day 10 RT 58 ± 10 × 10⁹ /unit vs Day 10 cold 142 ± 16 × 10⁹ /unit; P < .0001). Cold storage reduced the metabolic rate of thawed platelets. During storage, the surface glycoprotein ([GP] Ibα, GPVI, GPIIb, GPIIIa) and activation marker (P-selectin and phosphatidylserine) profile of cold platelets was closer to freshly thawed platelets (Day 0) than those stored at RT. Thromboelastography (reaction time) demonstrated that the procoagulant nature of cryopreserved platelets was preserved during 10 days of cold storage, while RT-stored thawed platelets displayed a gradual prolongation of the time taken to initiate clot formation.

Cold storage of thawed platelets preserves the platelet phenotype and function for up to 10 days, compared to thawed platelets stored at RT. Thus, cold storage of thawed platelets may represent a simple approach to extend the postthaw shelf life.