Evaluation of the post-transfusion platelet increment and safety of riboflavin-based pathogen reduction technology (PRT) treated platelet products stored in platelet additive solution for 5 days or less versus 6-7 days

Background and Objectives: Platelets are stored routinely for 5 days or less and extended platelet storage time could improve product availability. This study compared platelet count increments (CI_24hs) of riboflavin plus UV-light (PRT) treated platelet products in platelet additive solution stored for 5 days or less to products stored for 6-7 days. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study comparing CI_24hs between two groups. Hematology patients received PRT treated platelet products stored for <5 days, or for 6-7 days. Platelet counts and adverse events during and up to 24 hours after transfusion were recorded and compared between the groups. Results: Ninety-seven patients received 168 transfusions of <5 day old PRT-treated platelets and 49 patients received 74 transfusions of 6-7 day old PRT-treated platelets. There was no statistically significant difference in CI_24hs between the <5 day (median 6000) and 6-7 day storage group (median 8000) (p-value = 0.509). One mild fever was documented in the <5 day storage group. Conclusion: CI_24hs are similar for PRT-treated PLTs stored in PAS for <5 or 6-7 days. Studies to further evaluate clinical outcomes such as bleeding are ongoing.