pH, PC02and P02in “High-volume” Platelet Concentrates Prepared by Discontinuous-flow Centrifugation and Stored in Polyvinylchloride and Polyethylene Containers

Abstract

High-volume (200 ml) platelet concentrates prepared by discontinuous-flow centrifugation, with counts as high as ca. 2.0 × 10¹²/1, were stored in either 600 ml-capacity polyvinylchloride bags or 800-ml capacity polyethylene bags. Both polyvinylchloride and polyethylene bags appeared adequate for 24-hour storage of platelet concentrates with counts greater than 0.5 × 10¹²/1. However, at 24 hours the platelet concentrates in polyvinylchloride bags showed a reduction in pH and an increase in PCO₂, that were proportional to the platelet count. Only with storage in polyethylene bags did the pH and PCo₂ of the platelet concentrates show little change for periods of as long as 120 hours.