Cold storage and cryopreservation of PLTs led to morphologic and metabolic changes. However, storage under these conditions appears to maintain or even enhance certain aspects of in vitro PLT function.

PLT cryopreservation results in the generation of phosphatidylserine-expressing PLT microparticles which contribute to the hemostatic activity. Understanding the hemostatic activity of these components may assist in extending the use of these specialized components beyond military applications.

There are distinct differences between cryopreserved and liquid-stored PLTs. Cryopreserved PLTs also have an enhanced hemostatic activity. Knowledge of these in vitro differences will be essential to understanding the outcomes of a clinical trial comparing cryopreserved PLTs and liquid PLTs stored for various durations.

Despite the observed differences in platelet metabolism and activation observed following PRT treatment in PAS and low plasma carryover, the results suggest that treatment and storage of platelets in PAS is no more detrimental to platelets than treatment and storage in plasma.

No abstract