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The effect of plastic overwraps on storage measures of red cell concentrates
P F van der Meer1, R N I Pietersz
1Sanquin Blood Bank North West region, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.vandermeer@sanquin.nl
Background:
For hygienic purposes, plastic overwraps can be used for storage of leucoreduced red cell concentrates (LR-RCC). However, the effect of the use of such overwrapping on in vitro parameters during 42 days of storage was unknown.
Methods:
In paired experiments, LR-RCCs in SAGM (saline, adenine, glucose, mannitol) were packed in two types of polyethylene overwrap or in a polypropylene overwrap; no overwrap served as reference (n = 12 paired experiments). Units were stored at 2-6 degrees C for 42 days and sampled at regular intervals for in vitro analysis.
Results:
No significant effect was found for any of the overwraps investigated. All units contained > 2.7 micromol adenosine triphosphate per gram haemoglobin and had a haemolysis rate well below 0.8% on Day 42.
Conclusion:
The use of plastic overwraps does not affect red cell quality markers in vitro.
