Effects of High-Molecular-Weight Cryoprotectants on Platelets and the Coagulation System

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of the most widely used high-molecular-weight cryoprotectants on the coagulation system. Dextran, hydryoxyethyl starch (HES), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and albumin were added at different concentrations in the range between 0.01–1% (w/v) to solvent/detergent-treated plasma. Using a STA/STA Compact coagulation analyzer the following clotting tests were performed: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), Factor V, and Factor VIII percentage of activity. PVP and PEG caused a significant increase in APTT, a decrease in Factor VIII percentage of activity, and a slight decrease in TT, while PT and Factor V percentage of activity remained unchanged. Dextran, HES, and albumin did not effect the clotting tests. The effect of high-molecular-weight cryoprotectants on platelets was assessed by platelet-induced clot retraction (PICR) and aggregation with thrombin and agglutination with ristocetin. Platelet aggregation and agglutination were unaffected by all cryoprotectants tested; however, PICR was significantly reduced in the presence of PVP or PEG. Possible mechanisms by which PVP and PEG interfere with the coagulation system are discussed. We also raise issues concerning the development of one-step blood cryopreservation techniques which do not require cryoprotectant removal prior to transfusion.