Five-day storage of platelet concentrates. I. In-vitro studies.

Platelet concentrates have been prepared in standard PVC (PL-146) packs and polyolefin (PL-732) packs. Comparison of pH and hypotonic stress of the platelet concentrates has shown that significantly improved values are obtained after storage of the concentrates at 22 C in PL-732 packs for 5 days than after storage for 3 days in PL-146 packs. There was no significant difference under conditions of the test between vertical and horizontal agitation of the concentrates. Since both pH and hypotonic stress recovery have shown a relationship to post-transfusion recovery and viability, evidence is presented to support the 5-day storage period of concentrates prepared and stored in PL-732 packs.