Platelet concentrates prepared after a 20- to 24-hour hold of the whole blood at 22°C.

BACKGROUND: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that red blood cells must be refrigerated within 8 hours of whole blood collection. Longer storage of whole blood at 22 degrees C before component preparation would have many advantages. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two methods of holding whole blood for 20 to 24 hours at room temperature were evaluated, refrigerated plates or a 23 degrees C incubator. After extended whole blood storage, platelet (PLT) concentrates were prepared from PLT-rich plasma on Day 1 postdonation, and the PLTs were stored for 6 more days. On Day 7 of PLT storage, blood was drawn from each subject to prepare fresh PLTs. The stored and fresh PLTs were radiolabeled and transfused into their donor. RESULTS: Eleven subjects' whole blood was stored using refrigerated butanediol plates (Compocool, Fresenius), and 10 using an incubator. Poststorage PLT recoveries averaged 47 +/- 13% versus 53 +/- 11% and survivals averaged 4.6 +/- 1.7 days versus 4.7 +/- 0.9 days for Compocool versus incubator storage, respectively (p = NS). With all results, poststorage PLT recoveries averaged 75 +/- 10% of fresh and survivals 57 +/- 13% of fresh; PLT recoveries met FDA guidelines for poststorage PLT viability but not survivals. CONCLUSION: Seven-day poststorage PLT viability is comparable when whole blood is stored for 22 +/- 2 hours at 22 degrees C using either refrigerated plates or an incubator to maintain temperature before preparing PLT concentrates.