A new study has found that platelets stored under refrigerated conditions can remain safe and effective for treating bleeding, potentially offering a longer shelf life and improving the availability of platelet supplies for patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery.
Researchers from The University of Western Australia’s Medical School, including Dr James Preuss and Dr Warren Pavey, contributed to the study published in JAMA. The findings suggest that platelets stored at 4°C for up to 21 days can provide comparable bleeding-control outcomes to platelets stored at room temperature for up to seven days.
Cold Storage Could Extend Platelet Shelf Life
For decades, room-temperature storage has been the preferred method for preserving platelets because these cells typically remain in the bloodstream longer following transfusion. However, room-temperature storage also increases the risk of bacterial contamination, meaning platelets are generally discarded after seven days.
Researchers investigated whether refrigerated storage could extend the usable life of platelets without compromising their ability to help blood clot.
The study compared single-donor apheresis platelets stored at 4°C for up to 21 days with platelets kept at room temperature for up to seven days in patients experiencing bleeding during cardiac surgery.
No Significant Difference in Bleeding Outcomes
The researchers found that cold-stored platelets were safe and effective in controlling bleeding during cardiac surgery. There was no significant difference in bleeding-related outcomes between patients receiving refrigerated platelets and those receiving room-temperature platelets.
The study also found no significant differences in complication rates, including thrombotic complications, between the two groups.
Potential to Reduce Platelet Wastage
Refrigerated platelet storage could potentially triple platelet shelf life from seven to 21 days, while maintaining their haemostatic effectiveness.
According to the researchers, extending storage could reduce the number of platelet units discarded because they reach the end of their shelf life. It could also help create a more reliable supply of platelets, particularly in regions where geographic distances and dispersed populations make timely access to blood products difficult.
The findings could therefore support further consideration of cold-stored platelets as an alternative for selected transfusion needs, particularly in cardiac surgery and healthcare systems facing challenges with platelet availability and wastage.
Source:
Annelies Gartner (UWA PR & Media Adviser) 08 6488 6876
