New research led by Professor Michael Reade indicates that frozen blood platelets could significantly enhance medical care in combat zones and remote areas. This landmark research released today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) brings that good news. With cryopreserved platelets, you could potentially extend the shelf life from one week to two years!
Professor Reade’s fascination with this revolutionary strategy started while he was deployed in Afghanistan in 2009. He saw the critical need for effective medical solutions. This is critical in regions where on-demand access to fresh blood supplies is not easily available. His discoveries point to the possibility of using frozen platelets to provide a lifeline resource for military members and civilian patients.
Encountering Cryopreserved Platelets
It was on this surgical mission in Holland that Professor Reade first saw frozen cryopreserved platelets. What made the experience even more special was having an Australian surgical team embedded there. At the time he learned this technology wasn’t approved for military use, outside the Netherlands. This understanding opened his eyes to pursuing more research.
Our new study enrolled 879 patients who fulfilled well-defined inclusion criteria. Of those, 388 were randomized and 202 patients received the frozen platelets as part of their treatment. The pilot operated between August 2021 – April 2024. Researchers determined the efficacy of storing blood platelets at -80 degrees Celsius.
“We found while frozen platelets were safe to use, they were a little less effective at stopping blood loss compared to liquid stored platelets,” – Professor Reade
Reade thinks having access to frozen blood platelets would really be a game changer. This is particularly critical in circumstances where alternatives aren’t accessible.
“But where there are no other platelets available, it could mean the difference between life and death,” – Professor Reade
A Life-Saving Resource
Commercial blood platelets are an invaluable resource for emergency medicine, as Colleen’s experience highlights. When she had her open-heart surgery, she received 28 units of platelets, which made the difference in saving her life. Her husband Peter Anna told us how he supported her recovery, which underscored the human dimension of these medical interventions.
“To everyone who has donated [blood], I say thank you because your donation could be why I’m here today,” – Colleen Stieler-Hunt
Colleen vividly described what she went through, intoning how the medical team literally worked quickly to switch out bags of blood while she was having her procedure.
“They were just changing bag after bag of blood,” – Colleen Stieler-Hunt
This personal story highlights the everyday effects of blood donations and how important platelets are to ensuring patients get the best outcomes from their care.
Addressing Global Challenges
Professor Reade’s research addresses a broader issue within the medical community: the high rate of waste associated with platelet donations. He explained that 25-33 percent of platelet units worldwide are thrown away because of their short shelf life.
“The short shelf life means between 25-33 percent of platelet units are discarded worldwide,” – Professor Reade
Dr. Nick Yim from the FDA shared the same concern, attesting to the importance of successful blood donation programs. He reiterated that freezing blood platelets would really improve access. This new innovation would make sure that these scarce resources reach the people most in need the fastest.
“We know blood platelets are a precious resource in medicine, and a gift from those who choose to donate them,” – Dr. Nick Yim
