Extended storage of platelets in a new plastic container. II. In vivo response to infusion of platelets stored for 5 days.

A new blood container material (PL 1240 plastic) made of polyvinyl chloride containing a tri(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate plasticizer was evaluated in three laboratories. When platelet concentrates (50-60 ml) were stored on a variety of agitators for 7 days at 22 +/- 2 degrees C, poststorage pH (mean +/- SD) ranged from 7.29 +/- 0.05 (6 rpm elliptical rotator) to 6.87 +/- 0.8 (70 cycles per minute flatbed agitator). The platelet counts ranged from 1.51 +/- 0.12 to 0.95 +/- 0.36 X 10(6) per microliter. Morphology scores and hypotonic shock response values of platelets stored 7 days in PL 1240 plastic containers were better than those noted following 3-day storage of control platelets in PL 146 plastic containers. The percent discharge of lactic dehydrogenase from platelets stored 7 days in PL 1240 plastic containers for 3 days (p less than 0.05). Mean platelet recoveries of 44 +/- 15 percent (n = 11; 111Indium) and 39 +/- 8 percent (n = 29; 51Chromium) were seen when autologous platelets were infused following 5-day storage in PL 1240 plastic bags. Platelet half-lives of 3.6 +/- 0.4 (n = 9) 4.1 +/- 0.4 (n = 20) days were reported in the two laboratories which used 51Cr labeling, while survival values of 7.0 +/- 1.0, 2.8 +/- 0.8, and 5.4 +/- 1.9 days were seen when data from the 111Indium studies (n = 11) were analyzed using linear, exponential, and multiple hit programs, respectively. Platelets stored for 5 days also were administered to 13 thrombocytopenic oncology patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)