Platelets are stored at what temperature:September 2010

Ans. A: 20 degree CelsiusIn blood banks platelet concentrates are stored at 20deg C to 24deg C.In the peripheral circulation or in situations of hypothermia caused by trauma or extracorporeal circulation, platelets may encounter temperatures significantly lower than 37deg C.On the other hand, whole-body hypehermia with an increase of the body core temperature to 41.8deg C was repoed in cancer treatment.Therefore, a temperature range of 20deg C to 42deg C might be considered clinically relevant. However, the effects of hypo- and hypehermia on platelets and platelet function are not well understood.It is well recognized that the exposure of platelets to 4deg C results in platelet activation. Activation of chilled platelets (4deg C) was observed as a morphological change from the resting discoid state