What is the optimal temperature range for cooling blood during Platelet Concentrate preparation?

The optimal temperature range for cooling blood during platelet concentrate preparation is indeed 20-24 °C. This temperature range is crucial because platelets are best stored at room temperature to maintain their functionality and viability. They remain active and functional at 20-24 °C for a period of up to five days when stored in an appropriate incubator that facilitates gentle agitation.

Cooling blood too much, such as towards 6 °C, would be detrimental as the cold temperatures could cause platelet activation and aggregation, leading to a decreased number of viable platelets in the final product. Heating blood to 37 °C or beyond, as in the cases presented where it is warmed or heated to 57 °C, would also compromise platelet viability due to denaturation of proteins and cellular damage, making the platelets unsuitable for transfusion purposes.

Therefore, maintaining the temperature during preparation in the 20-24 °C range is essential for producing high-quality platelet concentrates.