Hot Off the Press: Cold-Stored Platelets at Carter BloodCare!
That’s right, you heard it right! As of July 14, 2021, Carter BloodCare has been approved to produce a brand new blood component for transfusion – apheresis platelets stored in the refrigerator for 14 days. Needless to say, this is an exciting time for us, as blood centers are able to more effectively meet increasing patient demand.
Now, when I say that cold-stored platelets (CSPs) are a new blood component to us, that is true for Carter BloodCare - but CSPs have been studied and utilized by others (both historically and more recently). In fact, early data from the 1960s and 70s showed that cold-stored platelets actually improved bleeding times better than room temperature-stored platelets. (Current studies are ongoing but the thought is that these platelets are “pre-activated.”) Traditionally, room temperature-stored platelets with agitation were chosen as the widely accepted storage method as they had a better post-transfusion lifespan. However - I would like to make the point that not all platelet transfusion indications are the same; therefore, why not use the best component to fit each patient’s need? Patients receiving therapeutic transfusion (for bleeding) may benefit most from pre-activated cold platelets, while patients receiving prophylactic transfusion (for thrombocytopenia to prevent bleeding) should receive the longer lasting room-temperature platelets.
Furthermore, CSPs are an important component of interest not just for their potential clinical benefits to bleeding patients – they also come with considerable logistical benefits. CSPs do not need to be kept at room temperature on a platelet rotator. They also do not need to be cultured for bacterial contamination since they are stored at 1-6C. Therefore, these products can be released to hospitals sooner than traditional platelets can. Arguably, the most advantageous storage benefit about CSPs is their 14 day (!) shelf-life; double the shelf-life of our other, more traditional platelets. Easier storage, quicker release, longer shelf-life and potentially improved clot formation makes these products an invaluable addition to our product inventory.
Look out for these new platelets, as we will start distributing them to hospitals in January 2022. And don’t forget to put them in the fridge!
References:
Reddoch-Cardenas KM, Bynum JA, Meledeo MA et al. Cold-stored platelets: A product with function optimized for hemorrhage control. Transfusion and Apheresis Science. 2019; 58: 16-22.
Becker GA, Tuccelli M, Kunicki T et al. Studies of platelet concentrates stored at 22-C and 4-C. Transfusion. 1973; 13: 61–8.
Murphy S, Gardner FH. Platelet preservation - effect of storage temperature on maintenance of platelet viability - effect of refrigerated storage. New England Journal of Medicine. 1969; 280: 1094-1098.
Strandenes G, Kristoffersen EK, Bjerkvig CK et al. Cold stored platelets for treatment of postoperative bleeding in cardiothoracic surgery. Orlando, FL: American Association of Blood Banks, 2016.