Paired comparison of the in vivo and in vitro results of storage of platelet concentrates in two containers

Both in vitro and in vivo methods are used to test the validity of techniques for storing platelet concentrates for transfusion. In this study, the characteristics of platelet concentrates stored for 5 days at 22 degrees C in two different containers were evaluated by paired comparison using two in vitro measurements and two in vivo measurements. On two occasions, 10 normal subjects donated concentrates that were stored in containers of either the CLX system or the PL-146 system. The first plastic used was chosen at random. If necessary, a concentrate platelet count was reduced to 1,200,000 per microliters by addition of plasma to avoid pH fall. Mean recoveries were 48.2 +/- 10.6 percent (mean +/- 1 SD) and 42.4 +/- 7.8 percent for platelets stored in containers of the CLX and PL-146 systems, respectively. Similarly, survivals (T 1/2 in days) were 3.4 +/- 0.8 and 3.0 +/- 0.7, respectively. Since a paired design was used, the superiority of the CLX system was demonstrable with a one-tailed paired t test. If a paired design had not been used, a pooled t test would have been appropriate and the differences would not have been significant. This result emphasizes the value of the paired design. Furthermore, two in vitro measurements that reflect platelet morphology, dispersion of the size distribution and extent of shape change with adenosine diphosphate, were superior for platelets stored in CLX containers as well, suggesting a relationship between these measurements and in vivo viability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)