Platelet Lesion of Collection

Abstract

In the early stages of blood collection for transfusion, whole [human] blood is subjected to trauma from the anticoagulant. The blood.sbd.anticoagulant mixture does not attain a pH at which platelets can remain functional (.apprx. pH 6.0) until about 25% of the unit was collected. Platelet ultrastructure and in vitro aggregation responses to ADP and epinephrine (EPN) were examined to assess the platelet trauma of collection into citrate-phosphate-dextrose. For comparison blood was collected by 2 methods: 1 was conventional (CC), the other metered anticoagulant into the blood as it was collected (MC). Platelets from CC blood showed disruption of organelles and depletion of the dense bodies, whereas platelets from MC blood showed no ultrastructrual damage. Biphasic aggregation in response to ADP or EPN was seen in MC platelets but not in CC platelets.