Platelet function after shipment of room temperature platelet concentrates.

Platelet concentrates stored for 48 or 72 h were shipped up to 10 h at 22 or 4 degrees C. Thereafter platelet function was compared with platelet concentrates stored under optimal blood bank conditions with continuous agitation and strict temperature control. Platelet function measured by hypotonic shock response, aggregation and serotonin uptake is better maintained at 22 than at 4 degrees C. The only difference between shipping and continuous agitation is seen in the hypotonic shock response after a total storage time of 72 h. Shipped platelets showed a marked drop in hypotonic-shock response. The data indicate that shipment of platelet concentrates does not significantly impair platelet function.