RBC storage for 11 weeks

Increasing the length of RBC storage can increase both RBC availability and quality. This work addresses 11-week RBC storage in experimental ASs (EASs).

Three studies were performed. In the first, 24-hour in vivo recovery of (51)Cr-labeled autologous RBCs was measured in nine volunteers after storage of their RBCs for 11 weeks in EAS 67. In the second study, 4 units of blood were divided and stored in aliquots with an EAS containing 0, 15, 30, or 45 mmol per L of mannitol; then hemolysis, RBC morphology, and microvesicle protein were measured. In the third study, 6 full units were stored for 12 weeks in the EAS containing 30 mmol per L of mannitol, with weekly sampling for morphologic and biochemical measures of RBC quality.

RBCs stored for 11 weeks in EAS-67 had a mean 24-hour in vivo recovery of 79 +/- 5 percent, but the hemolysis was 1.35 +/- 0.68 percent. Increasing mannitol content of the EAS reduced hemolysis but increased microvesiculation. EAS-76, with 30 mmol per L of mannitol allowed 11-week storage with 0.48 +/- 0.10 percent hemolysis at 11 weeks and 0.62 +/- 0.14 percent hemolysis at 12 weeks.

It is possible to store RBCs for 11 weeks in EAS with greater than 75 percent recovery and less than 1 percent hemolysis.