Effect of Pneumatic Tubing System Transport on Platelet Apheresis Units

AbstractPlatelet apheresis units are transfused into patients to mitigate or prevent bleeding. In a hospital, platelet apheresis units are transported from the transfusion service to the healthcare teamsvia two methods: a pneumatic tubing system (PTS) or ambulatory transport. Whether PTS transport affects the activity and utility of platelet apheresis units is unclear. We quantified the gravitational forces and transport time associated with PTS and ambulatory transport within our hospital. Washed platelets and supernatants were prepared from platelet apheresis units prior to transport as well as following ambulatory or PTS transport. For each group, we compared resting and agonist-induced platelet activity and platelet aggregate formation on collagen or von Willebrand factor (VWF) under shear, platelet VWF-receptor expression and VWF multimer levels. Subjection of platelet apheresis units to rapid acceleration/deceleration forces during PTS transport did not pre-activate platelets or their ability to activate in response to platelet agonists as compared to ambulatory transport. Platelets within platelet apheresis units transportedvia PTS retained their ability to adhere to surfaces of VWF and collagen under shear, although platelet aggregation on collagen and VWF was diminished as compared to ambulatory transport. VWF multimer levels and platelet GPIb receptor expression was unaffected by PTS transport as compared to ambulatory transport. Subjection of platelet apheresis uni...
Source: Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research