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K Storck

Publications and source records attributed to K Storck.

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Quality control of platelet concentrates by the Thrombostat 4000.

Quality control of platelet concentrates (PC) is an important prerequisite for good transfusion praxis. However, direct measurement of platelet function is complex, since available methods (e.g. aggregometry, serotonin release) are time consuming and require special equipment. Therefore a test system is needed, which is easy to handle, fast, and achieves reliable results. The present paper compares the results of conventional platelet function tests with those of a modified in-vitro bleeding test (IVBT) (Thrombostat 4000) in liquid-stored and cryopreserved PCs. A high correlation between aggregometry, serotonin release, GMP 140 expression upon stimulation, and IVBT was demonstrated. Therefore IVBT seems to be a good alternative to the conventional platelet function tests for quality control of PCs. In addition, a good correlation between the results of IVBT of patients' blood after PC transfusion and IVBT of patients blood before transfusion supplemented with platelets of the respective PC could be found. Therefore IVBT seems to be able to predict PC transfusion success. However, since these data were obtained in a small sample undergoing bone marrow transplantation, further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.

Bleeding Time

[Quality control of platelet concentrates. Functional assessment of stored platelets in vitro].

Platelet concentrates transfused for correction of thrombocytopenia or reduced platelet function do not consistently improve primary haemostasis in the recipient. Insufficient therapeutic effects may be caused by impaired donor platelet function and by unfavourable donation and storage conditions, as well as by immunological interactions with the recipient blood. The present study was designed to investigate whether the effect of platelet transfusion on recipient platelet function can be predicted by in vitro methods. METHODS. Blood samples were taken from 12 thrombocytopenic patients before (20 ml, P0) and after (10 ml, P(vivo)) transfusion of one unit of platelets previously stored for 24-120 h in acid citrate dextrose. An additional sample was taken from the platelet concentrate (TK) immediately before transfusion. P0 was divided into two specimens and TK platelets were added to one of them (P(vitro) in order to obtain a platelet count similar to that in P(vivo). Bleeding time (BT) and bleeding volume (BV) of the samples P0, P(vivo) and P(vitro) were measured using the method of Kratzer and Born (Fig. 2); mean values were calculated for each sample from six measurements. Aggregability of TK platelets was determined in addition by aggregometry. In contrast to previous studies, physiological Ca2+ concentrations were restored and secondary haemostasis was inhibited by low-molecular-weight heparin (Fragmin P, Pfrimmer Kabi GmbH und Co. KG, Erlangen) in the platelet-rich plasma used for aggregometry. RESULTS. Platelet counts increased in all patients after transfusion (P(vivo) vs P0, Table 1) and were nearly identical in P(vitro) and P(vivo) (r = 0.94, P < 0.001; Fig. 3). Parameters of primary haemostasis were significantly improved by addition of platelets to P0 in vitro (BT P < 0.05, BV P < 0.01) as well as by platelet transfusion (BT P < 0.05, BV P < 0.01). Direct comparison of P(vitro) and P(vivo) yielded a very close correlation of BT (r = 0.88, P < 0.001) and BV (r = 0.89, P < 0.01) in both samples. Although aggregometry revealed decreasing platelet function with increased storage time, aggregability was considerably higher compared to previous studies of platelet concentrates stored for 2-5 days. CONCLUSION. A new technique has been developed which allows reliable prediction of the effect of platelet concentrates on primary haemostasis of the recipient by in vitro measurement of bleeding time and bleeding volume prior to transfusion using the method of Kratzer and Born.

Blood Platelets