Quality Implications of Regular Versus Overnight Processing of Stored Human Platelets: An Institutional Study

Abstract

Background: Platelet concentrates (PC) are prepared from random donor platelets (RDP) and single donor platelets (SDP) and the various quality parameters of the PC are multifactorial which includes the preparation techniques, types of bags used, holding period prior to processing, type of anticoagulant used, use of additive solutions, the storage conditions after processing, etc. Extending the holding period before processing and ensuring the absence of deleterious affect on the quality parameters of the PC can be extremely beneficial from operational and logistical reasons to meet the increased clinical demand of PCs, particularly for oncology cases and during dengue epidemic. Aims and Objectives: The comparative evaluation of various quality parameters including morphological, biochemical and molecular aspects of PCs between fresh whole blood (WB) (8 hrs) versus overnight hold blood (24 hrs) on the 0, 3rd and 5th day of storage. Materials and Methods: Fifty units of blood were collected and stored overnight (24 hrs) hours at a temperature of 220C to 240C and processed subsequently. The other 50 units were processed immediately within 8 hours. All the PCs had undergone mandatory serological testing and all the sero-negative PCs had fulfilled quality control parameters. Sterility confirmation was done on 0, 3rd and 5th day of storage. Morphological, biochemical and molecular aspects for both the categories of PCs were studied. For statistical analysis, t-test at 95% confidence interval was done with a P value of <0.05 taken as statistically significant. Results: All essential quality parameters in both the categories of PCs were within acceptable limits. No adverse impact on quality was noted in the overnight PCs. Conclusion: The preserved quality of overnight PCs along with associated logistic benefits should encourage blood bank management to seriously explore the feasibility of undertaking the 24-hours whole blood holding period (overnight) before preparing PCs.