Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Therapeutic use of cold-stored platelets in humans: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Chloë E George1, Thomas Scorer2, Anne Cleves3
1Welsh Blood Service, Pontyclun, UK.
Insights
Cold-stored platelets (CSP) show promise for improved hemostatic function and longer shelf life. This review synthesizes evidence on CSP therapeutic use, assessing feasibility, safety, and efficacy to guide future research.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Cold-stored platelets (CSP) are being re-evaluated for clinical use after decades.
- In vitro studies suggest CSP offer enhanced hemostatic function and extended storage.
- CSP are being explored for supply chain resilience and clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the therapeutic use of CSP.
- To determine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of CSP transfusions.
- To identify research gaps in the clinical application of CSP.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases.
- Systematic screening and data extraction by independent reviewers.
- Risk of bias assessment and meta-analysis using fixed-effect or random-effects models.
Main Results:
- (Results pending synthesis of evidence)
- (Data analysis ongoing)
- (Specific findings to be detailed upon completion of review)
Conclusions:
- (Conclusions to be drawn from synthesized evidence)
- (Clinical implications of CSP use will be discussed)
- (Recommendations for future research directions will be provided)
Introduction:
Interest in cold-stored platelets (CSP) has seen a resurgence over the last 20 years, having not been clinically used since the 1980s. A multitude of in vitro studies have reported positive characteristics such as improved haemostatic function and longer storage duration in CSP compared with their room-temperature-stored counterparts. More recently, CSP have been investigated in clinical trials and used to improve supply chain resilience in some settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis will synthesise and describe the published evidence on the therapeutic use of CSP to determine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of their use and identify key areas for future research.
Methods And Analysis:
The Medline, Cochrane and EMBASE databases will be searched from inception to date of search for all studies including therapeutic transfusions of CSP in the English language as well as grey literature searches. Abstract screening and shortlisted full-text screening will be performed by two independent reviewers, adjudicated by a third reviewer. The data will be extracted by two reviewers and a narrative review formulated. Risk of bias will be assessed using the risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB-2) and the Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions tool. A meta-analysis will be undertaken using fixed-effect or random-effects models, contingent on the degree of statistical heterogeneity, as quantified by the I² statistic.
Ethics And Dissemination:
No ethical review is required as no original data will be collected. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and at academic conferences.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD420251086610.
