Post-transfusion stability of haemoglobin mass.

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Sports Science
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Total haemoglobin mass (tHb) is a key blood parameter but its post-transfusion stability is not well-understood.
• Autologous blood transfusions are difficult to detect, posing challenges for anti-doping efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the survival and stability of total haemoglobin mass (tHb) after autologous blood transfusion.
• To assess the potential of tHb measurement for anti-doping detection.

Main Methods:

• Ten male participants underwent whole blood donation and subsequent erythrocyte concentrate reinfusion.
• Total haemoglobin mass (tHb) was measured using the carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method before and after donation and reinfusion, up to 56 days.

Main Results:

• The reinfused erythrocyte concentrate contained a mean of 60 g of tHb.
• Transfusion resulted in a net tHb increase of 51 g, demonstrating elevated tHb levels for at least 56 days post-transfusion.

Conclusions:

• Autologous transfusion leads to a sustained elevation of tHb, enabling continuous identification.
• CO rebreathing can detect supraphysiological tHb levels, potentially serving as an anti-doping tool if baseline values are established.