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Review
. 2018 Nov;25(6):500-508.
doi: 10.1097/MOH.0000000000000456.

Towards increasing shelf life and haemostatic potency of stored platelet concentrates

Shailaja Hegde  1 , Huzoor Akbar  2   3 , Yi Zheng  2 , Jose A Cancelas  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Towards increasing shelf life and haemostatic potency of stored platelet concentrates

Shailaja Hegde et al. Curr Opin Hematol. 2018 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Platelet transfusion is a widely used therapy in treating or preventing bleeding and haemorrhage in patients with thrombocytopenia or trauma. Compared with the relative ease of platelet transfusion, current practice for the storage of platelets is inefficient, costly and relatively unsafe, with platelets stored at room temperature (RT) for upto 5-7 days.

Recent findings: During storage, especially at cold temperatures, platelets undergo progressive and deleterious changes, collectively termed the 'platelet storage lesion', which decrease their haemostatic function and posttransfusion survival. Recent progress in understanding platelet activation and host clearance mechanisms is leading to the consideration of both old and novel storage conditions that use refrigeration and/or cryopreservation to overcome various storage lesions and significantly extend platelet shelf-life with a reduced risk of pathogen contamination.

Summary: A review of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative methods for platelet storage is presented from both a clinical and biological perspective. It is anticipated that future platelet preservation involving cold, frozen and/or pathogen reduction strategies in a proper platelet additive solution will enable longer term and safer platelet storage.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

Y.Z. and J.A.C. own intellectual property of US Patent US20150366182A1 and international related protections. J.A.C. has received research funding from the US DoD, Cellphire, Cerus Co. and TerumoBCT for projects related to developing novel platelet products. No other relevant conflicts of interest are reported.

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