Frozen Red Blood Cells in Transfusion

Red blood cells (RBCs) can be cryopreserved with shelf life of 10 years. However, shelf life of deglycerolized RBCs in conventional open system is just 24 hours, resulting in sporadic use of Frozen RBC (FS-RBC). Recently Naval Blood Research Laboratory (NBRL) method using ACP 215 (ACP(™) 215 Haemonetics Cell Processing System) has been introduced, where shelf life of deglycerolized RBC is 14 days. FS-RBC unit is prepared from single blood donation, which needs to be glycerolized and deglycerolized. NBRL method using ACP 215 in FS-RBC is described. Deglycerolized unit weighed between 325-350 gm with haemoglobin of 15-18 gm/dl and freeze- thaw- wash RBC recovery of 87%. Transfusion of deglycerolized RBC offered advantages such as elimination of need of crossmatching in emergent situations and reduction of transfusion reactions. FS-RBC by NBRL method using ACP 215 has advantages such as long shelf life, meeting unexpected high blood demand in mass casualties situations or availability of rare blood group requirement of individual patient. FS-RBC can be a potential candidate for Indian Armed Forces Blood programme for uninterrupted blood supply during peace and war.