Survival and recovery of apheresis platelets stored in a polyolefin container with high oxygen permeability

Background and Objectives Oxygen permeability is important in platelet storage media. We compared a new polyolefin container with enhanced oxygen permeability (PO‐80; Kawasumi, Tokyo, Japan) to a widely used alternative (PL2410; Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, USA). Materials and Methods In vitro characteristics of paired platelet concentrates (PCs; mean 4·2 × 1011/250 ml plasma/bag) stored in PO‐80 or PL2410 were assessed through 9 days of storage. In vivo recovery and survival of 7‐day‐old autologous PCs were assessed according to the Murphy method. Results Laboratory assessment of platelet quality favoured PO‐80 during 9 days of storage with statistically significant differences in glucose consumption (2·75 vs. 4·93 mmol/1012/24 h in the interval 120–168 h), lactate generation (4·37 vs. 8·11 mmol/1012/24 h in the interval 120–168 h), pressure of oxygen (pO2) (59·3 vs. 38·1 mmHg at day 1), and (14·7 vs. 13·4 mmol/l at day 1). Statistically significant differences were not seen in aggregation, hypotonic shock response or pH. In vivo assessment of autologous platelets stored 7 days in the PO‐80 container revealed that recovery was 82·1% and survival was 81·0% of fresh control. Seven‐day stored PCs in PO‐80 were shown in vivo to be non‐inferior to fresh platelets, with upper confidence limits (UCL95) in recovery and survival of stored PCs below the maximum acceptable difference (MAD); 15·3% UCL95