title: Storage of aliquots of apheresis platelets for neonatal use in syringes with and without agitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To facilitate volume control in neonates, platelets (PLTs) are aliquoted and stored for short periods in non-gas-permeable syringes before infusion. Although agitation of PLTs during storage in gas-permeable bags is performed to maintain their quality, the effect of syringe agitation during storage is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double apheresis PLTs (n = 6) were collected and split, providing two identical products. On Days 2 and 4 of storage, aliquots from one bag of each pair were transferred to two syringes and stored for 6 hours on flatbed agitator or were left at 20 to 24 °C without agitation. A series of in vitro tests was performed on Days 0, 2 (Hours 0 and 6), and 4 (Hours 0 and 6). Control samples were obtained from the second matched bag that was stored on the agitator. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance with differences considered significant if the p value was less than 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparable results for several PLT variables were obtained with or without agitation of the syringes. On Day 4 Hour 6, pH values were 7.18 ± 0.12 (agitated syringes) and 7.19 ± 0.1 (nonagitated syringes), and extent of shape change and hypotonic shock response measurements were not significantly different between agitated syringes and nonagitated syringes (23.7 ± 6.4 and 74.3 ± 9.8% vs. 23.3 ± 5.4 and 76.0 ± 7.6%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on in vitro testing, apheresis PLT aliquots can be stored in syringes for at least 6 hours without agitation before transfusions.
authors: Divisions of Laboratory Medicine and Hematology, Children's National Medical Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
authors: Yaser
authors: Y
authors: Diab
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Wong
authors: Valli R
authors: VR
authors: Criss
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Moroff
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Wagner
authors: Naomi L C
authors: NL
authors: Luban
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology*; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010983:Plateletpheresis; D013594:Syringes; D013997:Time Factors