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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro
Published on: March 19, 2016
Storage of Blood Components Does Not Decrease Haemostatic Potential: In vitro Assessment of Fresh versus Stored Blood
Galia Bartfeld1, Martin Ellis, Aharon Lubetzky
1Department of Internal Medicine B, Meir Medical Centre, Kfar Saba, Israel.
Summary
Fresh whole blood and blood products stored for less than 21 days showed no hemostatic advantage over longer-stored components. Rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) analysis revealed no significant differences in clot formation parameters.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Hematology
- Surgical Hemostasis
Background:
- Massive blood loss during major surgery or trauma necessitates rapid transfusion.
- The hemostatic benefits of fresh, unrefrigerated whole blood over component therapy are debated.
- Rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) is a valuable tool for assessing hemostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clot formation parameters of fresh whole blood versus reconstituted whole blood.
- To evaluate the impact of storage duration of blood components on hemostasis.
- To utilize ROTEM for objective assessment of hemostatic function.
Main Methods:
- Fresh whole blood and reconstituted whole blood (using red cells stored 7-35 days, platelets 1-5 days, plasma 6 months) were analyzed.
- Rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) was employed to measure clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), and maximal clot firmness (MCF).
- Hemostatic parameters were compared between fresh and reconstituted whole blood samples.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in hemostatic parameters between fresh and reconstituted whole blood with red cells stored <21 days.
- Reconstituted whole blood using red cells stored >21 days showed significantly shorter CT and CFT compared to fresh whole blood.
- Clotting time (CT) was inversely correlated with platelet storage duration; maximal clot firmness (MCF) remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Fresh unrefrigerated whole blood is not superior to reconstituted whole blood with components stored for extended periods.
- Storage duration of red blood cells beyond 21 days may impact early clot formation.
- Hemostatic efficacy is comparable across various storage durations when assessed by ROTEM.
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