Effect of Centrifugation on the Storage Properties of Platelets

Abstract. Some of the recommended centrifugation methods for the preparation of platelet concentrates may cause accelerated deterioration of platelets stored in second‐generation containers. The deterioration is characterized by increasing pH, pO 2 and decreasing pCO 2 , a high discharge of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increasing amounts of small particles which have recently been shown to have platelet factor 3 activity [Solberg, C.; Østerud, B.; Little, C.: Thrombosis Res. 48 : 559–565, 1987]. A short first centrifugation (3,270g, 2 min 15 s) yielded platelets with better storage properties than platelet‐rich plasma prepared with longer centrifugation times (2,200 g, 4 min 30 s and 1,100 g, 6 min). By using multivariate data analysis the effect of different platelet concentrations and metabolic parameters can be used to predict the discharge of LDH or the change in morphology.