ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Conditions during blood product storage and transportation should maintain quality. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of interruption of agitation, temporary cooling (TC), and pneumatic tube system transportation (PTST) on the aggregation ability (AA) and mitochondrial function (MF) of platelet concentrates (PC). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A PC was divided equally into four subunits and then allocated to four test groups. The control group (I) was stored as recommended (continuous agitation, 22 ± 2°C) for 4 days. The test groups were stored without agitation (II), stored as recommended, albeit 4°C for 60 minutes on day (d)2 (III) and PTST (IV). Aggregometry was measured using Multiplate (RocheAG; ADPtest, ASPItest, TRAPtest, COLtest) and MF using Oxygraph-2k (Oroboros Instruments). The basal and maximum mitochondrial respiratory rate (MMRR) were determined. AA and MF were measured daily in I and II and AA in III and IV on d2 after TC/PTST. Statistical analysis was performed using tests for matched observations. RESULTS: Eleven PCs were used. TRAP-6 induced AA was significantly lower in II when compared to I on d4 (P = 0.015*). In III the ASPItest was significantly lower (P = 0.032*). IV showed no significant differences. The basal and MMRR were significantly reduced over 4 days in I and II (for both rates in both groups: P = <0.0001*). No significant differences occurred on d4 (P = 0.495). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that ex vivo AA and MF of PCs are unaffected, even in no-ideal storage and transport circumstances with respect to agitation, temperature, and force.
ABSTRACT
The life expectancy of patients with haemophilia has increased and therefore the interest in age-related comorbidities has grown. The aim of this study was to determine whether haemophilia patients have a different endothelial function compared with the general population. A total of 26 patients with severe or moderate haemophilia A or B, 14 controls and 36 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were included in this study. Five markers of endothelial dysfunction (MOEDs) were determined. Moreover, the endothelial function was examined using the Itamar Endo-PAT, and the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) was calculated from the results. The MOEDs soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p = 0.0095) and interleukin-6 (p = 0.010) were significantly higher for patients with haemophilia compared with the control group. The presence of increased adhesion molecule levels and low-grade inflammation is suggestive of a decreased endothelial function. RHI is impaired in CAD patients (1.862), whereas haemophilia patients have an RHI of 1.958 in comparison with 2.112 in controls (p = 0.127). Therefore, laboratory and functional measurements imply a possible higher risk for CAD in haemophilia patients.
