In vitro comparison of two different methods of cell washing.

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Blood Banking
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Red blood cell (RBC) storage leads to accumulation of detrimental substances, known as storage lesion.
• These accumulated substances can cause adverse effects in patients receiving transfusions.
• Autotransfusion devices, typically used in surgery, offer a potential method for washing stored RBCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of washing stored RBC units using an AutoLog autotransfusion device versus a standard blood bank cell washer.
• To evaluate the reduction of key analytes associated with RBC storage lesion after washing.

Main Methods:

• Eleven outdated RBC units (>42 days) were divided and washed using either a Medtronic AutoLog device or a Cobe 2991 Cell Processor.
• Key parameters including hematocrit, free hemoglobin, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), potassium, glucose, and pH were measured.
• Analyte concentrations were compared between unwashed parent units and washed daughter units.

Main Results:

• Washing with the AutoLog device significantly decreased glucose, lactate, and potassium levels compared to original RBCs.
• Free hemoglobin and LDH levels were significantly lower when using the Medtronic AutoLog device compared to the Cobe 2991 Cell Processor.
• The AutoLog device effectively reduced harmful analytes associated with RBC storage lesion.

Conclusions:

• Autotransfusion devices can effectively wash stored RBC units, mitigating storage lesion.
• Using an autotransfusion device prior to transfusion attenuates increases in glucose, potassium, free hemoglobin, and LDH.
• This washing method offers a promising approach to improve the safety of stored RBC products.