Post-transfusion stability of haemoglobin mass

Total haemoglobin mass (tHb) as a direct parameter of the blood system and ultimate target of all blood transfusions has not been evaluated for its post-transfusion survival and stability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the latter which may also be relevant from an anti-doping perspective as autologous blood transfusions remain impossible to detect.

The tHb was determined by the CO rebreathing method prior to and after donation of 1 unit of whole blood, as well as prior to and after reinfusion (weekly up to 56 days) of the erythrocyte concentrate in 10 men (28 +/- 7 years, 181 +/- 7 cm, 76 +/- 12 kg).

The mean tHb content of the derived erythrocyte concentrate was 60 +/- 3 g, while the net tHb increases after transfusion of 51 g (95% confidence intervals 33-69 g) permitted proof of an elevated tHb for at least 56 days after transfusion.

The results show that an elevated tHb induced by autologous transfusion allowed continuous identification although, as expected, a slow decrease of tHb has been revealed in the observation period. In reference to anti-doping, CO rebreathing permits proof of a supraphysiologically elevated tHb but possibly only if a stable baseline value is known.