Circulation and function of human platelets isolated from units of CPDA‐ 1, CPDA‐2, and CPDA‐3 anticoagulated blood and frozen with DMSO

Platelet concentrates (PC) were isolated by serial differential centrifugation from units of blood anticoagulated with one of the citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose‐adenine solutions (CPDA‐1, CPDA‐2, CPDA‐2). The platelet concentrates were frozen with six percent dimethylsulfoxide at 2–3 degrees C per minute and stored in a −80 degrees C mechanical freezer in polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin plastic containers. After frozen storage at −80 degrees C for up to three months, the concentrates were thawed at 42 degrees C within 2.5 to 4.0 minutes, washed with autologous plasma, two percent dimethylsulfoxide and 10 percent acid‐citrate‐dextrose solution, and then resuspended in plasma. The washed platelets were labeled with 51Cr and transfused back to the donor from whom they had been obtained. In vitro recovery from whole blood to platelet concentrate was 70.5 ± 17 percent (mean ± one SD). In vitro freeze‐thaw‐wash recovery determined by phase microscopy was 78.5 ± 12.8 percent, in vivo 51Cr platelet recovery two hours after transfusion was 41.3 ± 13.5 percent, and the platelets had a linear lifespan of about eight days. A single unit of previously frozen platelets shortened an aspirin‐ prolonged bleeding time two and 24 hours after infusion. Results were similar with platelets isolated from all three anticoagulants and stored in both plastics. The results also were comparable to previous findings in this laboratory with platelets isolated from ACD and CPD anticoagulated blood.