Hemostatic Efficiency of Pathogen-Inactivated Platelets

Storage of platelets at 37^oC retains their hemostatic activity but renders them susceptible to microbial contamination. Pathogen inactivation of platelet concentrates might reduce the risk for blood-borne infection but could have the untoward effect of decreasing hemostatic efficacy.

To determine whether a pathogen inactivation method using riboflavin and ultraviolet B illumination preserves platelet function, investigators conducted a multicenter, international, randomized controlled trial in which 469 patients received transfusions with either treated or untreated platelets. The primary outcome was WHO grade ≥2 bleeding during the 6 weeks after the platelet transfusion.

In the intention-to-treat analysis, the numbers of bleeding episodes du…