Refrigerated Platelets: Explore The Use Of Refrigerated Platelets (Article Critique Sample)

Refrigerated Platelets
Name
Summary
Recent studies show the determination of scientists to explore the use of refrigerated platelets to treat patients with acute bleeding. Although the use of cold platelets was discontinued about four decades ago, contemporary medical needs have necessitated the re-invention of the practice. According to Reddoch et al. [1] successful experiment, higher functional assay and clotting ability associated with platelets stored at4° C when compared to platelets stored under standard conditions. Additionally, platelets stored at near room temperature have higher risks of bacterial infection and poor homeostatic ability. Conversely, this study revealed that cold stored platelets have better adhesion capacity and faster fibrin formation making them significant in immediate homeostasis. Moreover, the study showed that refrigerated platelets have the superior metabolic ability and form stronger clots than both fresh and room temperature stored platelets [1]. However, only 80% of the refrigerated platelets survived to day 5 showing a reduction in platelet count. In similar studies [2, 3] the quality and viability of refrigerated platelets were confirmed asserting that these platelets can be utilized clinically to treat hypotension. Room temperature stored platelets tend to form poor and weak clots in addition to their susceptibility to bacterial contamination.
Critical Review
Platelets prepared by the apheresis method are commonly used in the United States, 85% and 50% in Europe making them primary platelets used in the research. The specific aim as to establish whether apheresis platelets stored at 4°C yielded better homeostatic, metabolic, and functional success when compared to platelets stored at room temperature. Freshly collected platelets were subjected to different treatments in order to establish the expected results to make sound inferences. One portion of the sample was stored at 4° without agitation while the other was stored at room temperature in an incubator with agitation. Other studies have confirmed that agitation does not affect the function or metabolic activity of refrigerated platelets contrary to those stored at room temperature [2, 3]. The researchers performed several analytical assays on fresh and stored AP including blood gas analysis, thromboelastography, impedance aggregometry, expression of surface receptors, and ELISA. Lastly, ANOVA was used to analyze the collected data to determine the statistical suitability of cold platelets in immediate homeostasis.
The results showed a significant reduction in platelet count for the samples stored at 4°C, which was also prone to clumping. Conversely, platelet count for samples stored at room temperature remained the same on the fifth day. Statistically, 20% of the refrigerated platelets did not survive during the storage period, and the clumping effect was reduced by placing the stored platelets in full-sized bags [1]. MPV remained the same for both refrigerated and room temperature stored platelets [1]. The pH and in the stored platelets remained within the acceptable levels while lactate increased in the refrigerated samples. Room temperature platelets showed a significant reduction in lactate and glucose levels and increased levels of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, cold platelets displayed remarkable aggregation when compared to fresh and platelets stored at room temperature [1]. The results for platelet activation markers showed increased expression of P-selectin in samples stored at 4 and room temperature. However, the refrigerated platelets expressed higher levels of CD62P showing that these platelets have better adherence than room temperature stored platelets. Furthermore, there was no noticeable difference between cold platelets under agitation and non-agitated samples. This shows that 4°C-stored platelets responded better to activating stimuli than those stored uder standard conditions. Most importantly, 4°C-stored platelets portrayed faster clotting ability due to the rapid formation of fibrin. In comparison, room temperature stored platelets showed poor and weak clot formation with a further susceptibility to lysis.
The study inferred better metabolic and functional performance of 4° stored platelets as compared to platelets stored at room temperature. This deduction holds that 4° stored apheresis platelets are most appropriate to stop acute hemorrhage in patients. Furthermore, decreased temperatures reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal contamination on cold platelets. According to the performed analysis, cold platelets are better suited for therapeutic purposes compared to room temperature stored and normal platelets especially when immediate homeostasis is paramount. The results of this study concur in vivo findings of a research conducted by Torres and associates regarding the suitability of cold platelets in thrombus formation [2]. Moreover, the research found insights that cold platelets have better adhesive capacity when compared to platelets stored under standard conditions. Torres et al. found that cold stored platelets have better ...