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Intraoperative washing of long-stored packed red blood cells by using an autotransfusion device prevents hyperkalemia
G Knichwitz1, M Zahl, H Van Aken
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|July 30, 2002
Implications:
Long-stored packed red blood cells (PRBCs) have a large potassium load. In patients with end-stage renal failure, the transfusion of such PRBCs may cause a critical increase in plasma potassium levels. Washing PRBCs with an autotransfusion device allows for a marked decrease in potassium load, thus preventing hyperkalemia.