Storage of Human Red Blood Cells and Platelets

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Abstract
Storage renders erythrocytes more responsive to thermally induced morphological changes, especially the shedding of microvesicles. 4–8 week old cells can be morphologically “rejuvenated” by heating. If pH increases during storage of platelets an extensive loss of small particles occurs. The platelet disintegration is associated with a loss in the metabolic activity, discharge of LDH, increased suseptibility to phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase C and is found to be initiated during the actual preparation of platelet concentrates. Activation of platelets during preparation can be decreased by shortening the first centrifugation time or by using adenine in the anticoagulant. A 4 hour prestorage of the whole blood unit prior to centrifugation strongly decreases the activation of platelets upon stimuli and results in platelet concentates much more stable to storage.