STORAGE OF PLATELET CONCENTRATES HARVESTED FROM BLOOD COLLECTED INTO DEXTROSE-FREE PRESERVATIVE WITHOUT AGITATION

This study addresses the possibility of platelet quality being maintai ned during storage by an endogenous metabolic fuel, while avoiding dex trose-induced lactate accumulation. This was achieved by harvesting pl atelet concentrates from blood donations collected into a dextrose-fre e anticoagulant. Adequate maintenance of all metabolic and functional parameters was observed in platelets from blood collected into 4% citr ate. The requirement for platelets stored in CPD plasma to be agitated during storage was confirmed, but agitation could be omitted for dext rose-free platelets without increased lactate generation and a drop in pH. These results indicate that platelet concentrates from dextrose-f ree blood may be stored without some of the constraints accompanying p latelet storage in conventional media, and may thus result in improved delivery of this product.