The Multicenter Co-Operative Study on Clinical Evaluation of Platelet Concentrates Stored for 72 Hours

Abstract

The viability of platelet concentrates stored for either 48 hours (48 hrs-PCs) or 72 hours (72 hrs-PCs) at 22 to 24°C was evaluated by the large scale, multicenter co-operative study. PCs were transfused to 23 patients with severe thrombocytopenia due to decreased platelet production on 56 occasions (48 hrs-PCs on 25 occasions and 72 hrs-PCs on 31 occasions). Comparison of the recovery at immediately and 24 hours after transfusion showed no significant difference (59.1±37.9% in 48 hrs-PCs and 52.3±32.7% in 72 hrs-PCs immediately after transfusion and 31.6±34.1% in 48 hrs-PCs and 25.5±27.6% in 72 hrs-PCs at 24 hours after transfusion, respectively). Hemostatic effectiveness was also evaluated with no significant difference between 48 hrs-PCs and 72 hrs-PCs. In 10 patients, both 48 hrs-PCs and 72 hrs-PCs were given at short time intervals. There was no significant difference in recovery immediately and 24 hours after transfusion. Both PCs were negative for bacterial culture and Limulus test. These results indicate that extension of platelet storage to 72 hours is possible.