Lifespan of Single Donor Platelets in Blood
Single donor platelets (apheresis platelets) can be stored for up to 5 days after collection at 20°C to 24°C with good maintenance of platelet viability. 1, 2
Storage Conditions and Viability
Platelets require specific storage conditions to maintain their functionality:
- Storage temperature: 20°C to 24°C (room temperature)
- Continuous gentle horizontal agitation
- Special storage bags designed to permit oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange
- Appropriate volume of plasma or plasma/additive solution
While platelets can technically be preserved for up to 7 days under these conditions, the storage time is limited to 5 days due to the risk of bacterial contamination 1. In some countries and jurisdictions, storage may be extended to 7 days if approved tests for bacterial detection or pathogen reduction technologies are used 1.
Changes During Storage
Several changes occur in platelets during the 5-day storage period:
- Platelet count remains relatively stable, with minimal decline (1-2% per day in whole blood) 3
- Decrements in platelet function accumulate during storage 4
- Responsiveness to various agonists (like ADP and collagen) declines 5
- Platelet aggregation becomes progressively impaired 6
- Beta-thromboglobulin levels increase, indicating alpha granule release 6
Despite these storage-related changes, research has shown that the clinical efficacy of platelets stored for 5 days is comparable to that of platelets stored for shorter periods. A study examining post-transfusion corrected count increments (CCIs) found no significant difference between platelets stored for 1 day versus 5 days 4.
Practical Implications
The 5-day storage limitation creates challenges for inventory management:
- Balancing supply with demand is difficult
- Surplus supplies are often discarded due to short shelf life 7
- Maintaining sufficient inventory with acceptable outdating rates is challenging
Important Considerations
- Both single-donor platelets and pooled platelet concentrates from whole blood can be stored for the same duration (5 days) 1
- Transfusion-associated bacteremia should be suspected if patients experience severe febrile reactions during or shortly after platelet transfusions 1
- Pathogen reduction technologies using UV irradiation after incubation with a photosensitizer have been developed to address the risk of bacterial contamination 1
The 5-day storage limitation represents a balance between maintaining platelet function and minimizing the risk of bacterial contamination, with ongoing research aimed at extending viable storage periods while preserving platelet quality.