Room Temperature Buffy Coat Platelets

Room Temperature Buffy Coat Platelets are a standard blood component product used for transfusion to manage bleeding, particularly in surgical settings. They are produced by pooling the buffy coat layers from multiple whole blood donations (typically seven) into a platelet additive solution, followed by pathogen inactivation to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. These platelets are stored at room temperature (20-24°C) with continuous agitation to maintain viability and function. In the context of the PLTS-1 clinical trial led by the University Health Network, Toronto, these platelets serve as the standard-of-care control arm for comparison against cold-stored platelets in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The product typically has a shelf life of 5 to 7 days depending on the pathogen inactivation system and regulatory approvals.

Other names

Conventional plateletsRoom temperature-stored allogeneic platelet transfusionsPathogen-reduced platelets