Five-day storage of platelet concentrates.

The short 72-hour shelf-life of platelet concentrates stored in standard PL146 (Fenwal) plastic bags often results in shortages of platelets. This 3-day limitation is based on the biochemical and physiological changes that occur during storage and that result in decreased viability and survival after transfusion. We assessed both in vitro and in vivo function of platelet concentrates stored for 3 and 5 days in two new plastic packs: PL732 (Fenwal) and CLX (Cutter). The concentrate pH was maintained above 7.0 in both bags and there was little change in platelet count or size following 5 days of storage. Aggregation response to adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, and collagen was maintained well. The PCO2 values indicated good gas escape with lower values after 5 days of storage than at 0 time. Lactate accumulation and glucose utilization were also lower in these new bags. Autologous survivals of chromium-labeled platelets stored for 5 days were 6.0 days (PL732) and 5.1 days (CLX), which are equal to or better than those found for platelets stored for 3 days in PL146. Posttransfusion increments in thrombocytopenic patients were acceptable; 49 percent after 1 hour and 31 percent after 24 hours for concentrates stored in CLX and 44 percent after 1 hour and 28 percent after 24 hours for concentrates stored in PL732. Both of these new bags, which contain different types of plasticizers, provide an environment that results in an improved product and will permit 5-day storage of platelet concentrates; these two benefits will help to alleviate the difficulties in supply of platelet concentrates.