Ten Days Storage of Platelets: Analysis of Quality and Safety

Abstract

Aims: The necessity for Platelet Concentrates (PCs) in transfusion has increased, and several measures have been undertaken to try and increase the shelf-life of this product. Increasing the shelf-life to 10 days from the current 5 days will increase availability and reduce waste and cost. However, the PCs need to maintain their safety and therapeutic efficacy over the extended storage time. To ensure the safety of this product, the bag should be sterile, with low concentrations of cytokines to prevent transfusion reactions, and the platelet indices should be within the therapeutic range to ensure efficacy. The aim of this study is to determine whether PCs retain quality standards and thus, remain fit for transfusion after being stored for 10 days in SSP+ at 22±2°C with constant agitation.
 Study Design: Qualitative study.
 Place and Duration of Study: National Blood Transfusion Service Malta, between March 2021 and June 2022.
 Methodology: In this study, 20 PCs were analysed by sampling on Day 5 and Day 10 of storage and tested for platelet count and indices, pH, sterility of the product and cytokine concentrations.
 Results: The results obtained showed a significant differences in the platelet count and platelet indices and pH. The difference in cytokine concentration of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF—α) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were not found to be statistically different between Day 5 and Day 10. Furthermore, 1 PC unit was positive during testing for bacteria detection.
 Conclusion: These results showed that the difference between Day 5 and Day 10 is not alarming, and further studies should be made to prolong the storage life to 10 days.

Optimizing Platelet Transfusion for Clinical Practice. Do Platelets's Age Matter for Therapeutic Platelets Transfusion?

“…The results of the analysis of the PCs in relation to their storage condition during days 1,3,5, and 7 of storage are shown in Table (1), Figs. (1,2). Platelets counts values were >5.58 x 1010 and were generally stable during storage which indicates no loss of platelets during storage.…”

“…Table (1) shows the metabolic parameters and quantitative values of pH, Glucose, LDH and Platelets count during days 1,3,5, and 7 of storage and showing stable PH >6.4 at the end of shelf life and there was no difference (p>0.05) between the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day, which indicate stable storage conditions throughout the 7-day period. Aerobic metabolism shows continuous glucose consumption and lactate production which indicate functioning platelets although statistically there was a nonsignificant difference in glucose and LDH value between the 1st, 3rd , 5th , an d 7th day of storage.…”

“…Table (1), Figs. (1,2) show the effect of different agonists on PCs during storage on days 1,3,5, and 7. The ADP, COLL, and EPI showed a significant decrease in the aggregation % on days 3,5, and 7 of storage when compared with the first day (p<0.001).…”

“…for transfusion are stored at room temperature between 20 and 24°C under agitation and were limited to five days post donation due to the risk of bacterial contamination as bacteria thrive in these conditions [1]. The new development of new plastics and thinner plastic bags which allowed increased oxygen transport with preservation of aerobic metabolism has permitted the further extension of storage for 5 days [2] and more recently to 7 days [3].…”