Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) Practice Test

At what temperature must cryopreserved cardiac and vascular tissues be stored?

1. At 0 - 10 degrees C

2. At -100 degrees C or colder

3. At -40 degrees C or colder

4. Below ambient temperature

The correct answer is: At -100 degrees C or colder

Cryopreserved cardiac and vascular tissues must be stored at -100 degrees C or colder to maintain the integrity of the cells and prevent ice crystal formation, which can damage tissue structures. This ultra-low temperature effectively halts metabolic and cellular processes, thereby preserving the viability and function of the tissues for future transplantation or research. In the context of cryopreservation, the aim is to minimize cellular activity to prevent damage, and temperatures below -100 degrees C are necessary to achieve this. Higher temperatures, such as those in the other choices, would not ensure the preservation required for these sensitive tissues. For example, storing tissues at -40 degrees C or at just below ambient temperature would not provide sufficient protection against deterioration over time. The preservation protocols developed for these tissues are specifically designed to require ultra-low temperature storage, which is critical in the field of tissue banking.