Donor blood frozen and stored between -20 degrees C and -25 degrees C with 35-day post-thaw shelf life

With standard blood bank facilities and interconnected plastic bags donor erythrocytes can be frozen and stored in commercial freezers at temperatures of -20 degrees to -25 degrees C for at least 6 months. The cryoprotectant, a mixture of glycerol and dextrose, is washed off in a closed-circuit system. After being thawed and reconstituted with an additive solution, the pack of red cells can be stored in liquid form for up to 35 days at 4 degrees-6 degrees C. The system lends itself to routine clinical blood transfusion practice.