Extension of platelet concentrate storage to 7 days in second-generation bags

Platelet concentrates stored for 7 days in 50 ml of plasma in both thin film and enlarged variations of the standard 5-day CLX plastic bags were evaluated for pH maintenance and in vivo viability by two laboratories working independently. 51Cr-labeled platelets were reinfused into normal volunteers at the end of storage and recovery and half-life calculated. The pH was maintained well; less than 10 percent of units fell below 6.0 at 7 days. Mean 7-day recovery for both laboratories was 43.6 +/- 11.6 percent in the thin-film bag and 45.4 +/- 8.52 percent in the enlarged bag, compared with 43.6 +/- 8.8 percent at 5 days in the 5-day plastic licensed bag. After 7 days storage the half-life was 3.6 +/- 0.9 days in the thin-film bag and 3.7 +/- 0.6 days in the enlarged bag, compared with 3.6 +/- 0.5 days in the previously licensed CLX plastic bag after 5 days. Thus, platelet viability was maintained well at 7 days of storage in both of the container variations that allowed increased gas exchange.