Background: Prestorage pooling of platelet (PLT)-rich plasma (PRP)-derived PLT concentrates (PCs) and storage in either plasma (PS) or an additive solution (AS) is logistically feasible and would result in a product similar to buffy-coat or apheresis PLTs.
Study design and methods: On Day 0, PS PRP PCs were pooled with a sterile connecting device into a new 1.3-L storage container (ELX, PALL Medical). AS-PCs were prepared by addition of a new low-pH glucose-containing AS to the PLT sediment. AS-PCs were pooled into a 1.3-L ELX bag containing four tablets of NaHCO3. PC pools were sampled on Days 1, 5, and 7.
Results: PS pools containing 5 units had a mean PLT yield similar to the AS pools (39 x 10(10) +/- 3 x 10(10) vs. 37 x 10(10) +/- 6 x 10(10); p = 0.25). All pools had WBC counts of less than 1 x 10(6). pH and HCO3 decreased in PS pools with storage, but either increased or remained constant in the AS pools. On Day 7, no differences were seen in morphology score or extent of shape change. Hypotonic shock response was better preserved in the plasma pools (71 +/- 12% vs. 56 +/- 13%, p < 0.01); however, surface P-selectin was expressed less in the AS pools (6 +/- 4% vs. 18 +/- 10%, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Manufacture and storage of PRP-PCs in pools either in plasma or in a glucose-containing AS in this new container are feasible, and there is good preservation of PLT quality to Day 7.