Relevance of pretransfusion incubation of platelets at 37 degrees C

The effect of pretransfusion incubation of platelets at 37 degrees C was assessed because of the controversial reports about its relevance. A dual-label technique (111indium and 114mindium) was applied in 10 healthy subjects receiving warmed and unwarmed autologous platelets simultaneously. Fresh platelet concentrates were infused into five subjects, whereas the other five subjects received stored platelet concentrates. The mean platelet volume decreased in all platelet concentrates during incubation, reflecting the restoration of the discoid shape of the platelets. The mean decrease was 0.35 fL (P = .003). However, the initial recovery and the mean platelet life-span were not improved by this procedure. It was concluded that there is no evidence that brief warming of platelets has any beneficial effect on platelet viability in healthy volunteers.