Preparation and storage of platelet concentrates. I. Factors influencing the harvest of viable platelets from whole blood.

Factors affecting the yield and viability of concentrated platelets have been investigated in a blood component programme. It was found that 86+/-1% of the platelets from a unit of whole blood can be concentrated without loss of viability by processing ACD or CPD anticoagulated blood at room temperature. The steps are initial centrifugation at 1000 g for 9 min to harvest platelet-rich plasma; centrifugation of the platelet-rich plasma at 3000 g for 20 min to pack the platelets; and resuspension of the platelet pellet in residual plasma after 1 1/2 h.