Preparation and transfusion of canine platelet concentrates

A protocol was developed for preparation of platelet concentrates (PC) to support thrombocytopenic dogs. Four clinically normal dogs with platelet counts that ranged from 200 to 330 x 10(9) platelets/L were used as donors. One unit (450 ml) of blood was collected by venipuncture into a double blood bag. Whole blood (WB) was centrifuged for 4 minutes at 1,000 x g (braking time = 2 minutes, 30 seconds) to prepare platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The PRP was expressed into the satellite bag and was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2,000 x g (braking time = 2 minutes, 36 seconds). The platelet-poor plasma was expressed, leaving 40 to 70 ml of plasma and the pelleted platelets in the satellite bag. The resulting PC was left undisturbed for 60 minutes to promote disaggregation, and the platelets were then resuspended by gentle manual agitation. Forty-eight PC were prepared. Mean (+/- SD) platelet yield from WB to PRP was 78 (+/- 13)% (range, 35 to 97%); yield from PRP to PC was 94 (+/- 6)% (range, 75 to 100%); and overall yield (PC from WB) was 74 (+/- 13)% (range, 36 to 91%). Mean PC platelet count was 8.0 (+/- 3.0) x 10(10) platelets/PC (range, 2.3 to 13.4 x 10(10) platelets/PC). The WBC content was 0.1 to 2.3 x 10(9) platelets/PC, representing 3 to 74% of WBC in the WB. Hematocrit was 0.1 to 26.2%. Results of bacterial and fungal culturing were negative. The PC were irradiated (18 Gy) and transfused to 5 cross-matched dogs undergoing bone marrow transplantation that developed profound thrombocytopenia of up to 8 weeks' duration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)