Laboratory Testing in Transfusion Medicine.

Canine and feline transfusions are life-saving procedures that have become increasingly common in veterinary medicine. Laboratory testing plays a vital role in transfusion medicine, particularly in the prevention and diagnosis of transfusion reactions. Laboratory tests should be used to screen donors for their general health and for the presence of any blood-borne pathogens. Pretransfusion blood typing and compatibility testing make immunologic reactions less likely, and commercial typing and crossmatching kits are now available. Appropriate diagnostic tests in the face of a potential transfusion reaction are important to tailor effective therapy.

The effects of additive solutions on the development of storage lesions in stored canine platelet concentrates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if platelet additive solutions (PAS) decrease the occurrence and degree of platelet storage lesions, maintain platelet function, and extend storage time in vitro beyond 5 days at 22°C when compared to platelets stored in plasma only. DESIGN: Prospective, ex vivo experimental controlled study. SETTING: Research laboratory in a school of veterinary medicine. ANIMALS: Twelve units of canine platelet concentrate prepared from fresh whole blood donations. INTERVENTIONS: Platelet concentrates were aliquoted into 4 units and stored at room temperature (22°C) under constant agitation in either 100% plasma (control) or 35% plasma and 65% of 1 of 3 different PAS (Plasma-Lyte A, Isoplate, and InterSol) for 7 days. At days 0, 3, 5, and 7, samples were analyzed for presence of swirling, degree of aggregate formation, platelet count, platelet indices, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, Pvo2 , and Pvco2 concentrations, aggregation via light aggregometry, and activation percentage based on flow cytometric measurement of surface P-selectin. Bacterial cultures were performed on days 0, 5, and 7. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Isoplate had a higher incidence of aggregate formation on day 0 (n = 2), and Plasma-Lyte A had a higher incidence of loss of swirl on day 7 (n = 5). Plasma-stored samples had significantly higher platelet counts (P < 0.001), pH (P < 0.05), Pvco2 (P < 0.001), and lactate (P < 0.001), and significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05) as compared to all PAS. The mean pH remained above 7.2 in PAS and plasma. There was no difference in platelet activation between plasma and PAS. Changes in platelet indices, glucose consumption, and maximum aggregation varied by storage solution. There was no bacterial growth seen in any samples. CONCLUSIONS: The 3 PAS performed similarly and could all be considered as potential replacements for plasma during the room temperature storage of canine platelet concentrate for up to 7 days.