The effect of platelet concentrate storage temperature on adenine nucleotide metabolism.

The effect of platelet concentrate storage temperature (4 degrees C versus 22 degrees C) on platelet adenine nucleotide metabolism was studied. In general, levels of platelet ATP and ADP, the release reaction, and the metabolis nucleotide pool were best preserved for 72 hr by storage of concentrates at 4 degrees C. Storage of concentrates for 72 hr at 22 degrees C was occasionally associated with a pH decrease to less than 6.0, which is incompatible with platelet viability. When the pH fell below 6.0, there was a marked deterioration of platelet adenine nucleotide levels and the release reaction. The results for concentrates stored at 22 degrees C, with a final pH above 6.0, were not inferior to the results for those stored at 4 degrees C. The pH remained above 7.0 in all concentrates stored at 4 degrees C. The pH changes of platelet concentrates stored at 22 degrees C could not solely be attributed to platelet count, red cell count, or bacterial contamination. Storage at both temperatures was associated with conversion of ATP in the metabolic adenine nucleotide pool to hypoxanthine.