Paired comparison of apheresis platelet function after storage in two containers

Platelet quality after storage strongly depends on the pre-storage quality as well as on the storage conditions determined by the storage container. I n this paired study, we evaluated two different containers (MedSep CLX (TM) and Delmed DPL-110). The Fresenius AS104 cell separator was used to prepar e 17 platelet concentrates that were split and distributed into the contain ers to be compared. Cell counts, blood gas analysis, morphological scores, glucose and lactate levels, platelet activation, and platelet aggregation w ere measured before splitting at the day of preparation and after storage a t day 3 and day 5. At day 3, there was no significant difference between th e two bags apart from increased lactate and decreased pCO(2) concentrations in the CLX (TM) bags. At day 5 there were significantly higher lactate con centrations, pO(2) levels, and aggregation after stimulation in the CLX (TM ) group, while the glucose and pCO(2) concentrations were significantly low er in these platelet concentrates as compared to the DPL-110 group. However , these parameters did not influence the functional parameters tested. Whil e the platelet quality decreased during storage in all bags, the functional changes were nearly identical in both bags tested. We conclude that both b ags are equivalent for 5-day storage of platelet concentrates. (C) 2001 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.