Platelet Storage — Time to Come in from the Cold?

Refrigerated platelets have better in vitro function than those stored at room temperature, 1 but once transfused, they are rapidly cleared from the circulation. Thus, platelets are currently stored at room temperature for up to five days. Unfortunately, storage at room temperature also creates optimal conditions for the growth of pathogens. Although the blood supply is tested for many pathogens, there is currently no mandatory test for bacterial contamination, and the estimated incidence of bacterial contamination of platelets is high: 1 in 2000 units. Cold storage would clearly improve the safety of platelet transfusion, and a recent study by Hoffmeister and . . .