Platelet concentrates are universally prepared with a standard method and stored for 5 days at room temperature (20-24°C) in gentle agitation. Currently, there is a renewed interest in the possibility of storing platelet concentrates below the standard temperatures. In fact, cold platelets might be more effective in bleeding patients and have a lower risk of bacterial transmission. Inventories including platelets at different temperatures may favour patient-centred strategies for prophylactic or therapeutic transfusions.
Keywords: cold platelets; platelet concentrates; platelet transfusion.