ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 2, No. 6, June 2011 | pp. 41–48
DOI: 10.46882/2011/IJH/000018
Original Article
Title: Assessment of platelet storage lesions in random donor platelet concentrates prepared by the platelet-rich plasma method
Names of Authors: Q. S. Bello¹, U. T. Aliyu²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria; ²Department of Pathology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Abstract: Platelet storage lesions involve morphological and functional degradation that reduces the therapeutic efficacy of platelet transfusions over time. This study evaluated sequential metabolic and functional changes in 60 random donor platelet units prepared by the platelet-rich plasma method and stored under standard agitation at 22 °C for 7 days. Serial testing at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 measured pH levels, extracellular lactate dehydrogenase, glucose concentrations, and platelet aggregation responses to adenosine diphosphate. Mean bag pH fell significantly from 7.25 ± 0.10 on day 1 to 6.42 ± 0.15 on day 7 (P < 0.05). Extracellular lactate dehydrogenase levels rose by 140% by day 7, indicating progressive platelet lysis. Platelet aggregation efficiency declined from a baseline of 82.4% to 38.6% on day 7. Bacterial contamination screening remained negative in all units. These results show that functional and metabolic degradation increases significantly after 5 days of storage, suggesting that platelet shelf-life should be limited to 5 days to optimize post-transfusion platelet increments.
Keywords: Platelet concentrates, platelet storage lesion, pH, lactate dehydrogenase, platelet aggregation
Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 20, 2011; Revised: April 28, 2011; Accepted: May 12, 2011; Published: June 19, 2011