Dose-dependent effect of stored-blood transfusions on recipient red blood cell indices, deformability and density

We prospectively studied the dose-dependent effect of transfused stored red blood cells (RBCs) on recipient RBC indices, deformability and cell density in 10 patients administered stored RBCs for blood transfusion during general surgery. There were dose-dependent decreases in mean corpuscular volume and increases in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration after completion of 4- and 6-unit stored RBC transfusions. The amount of dense populations increased proportionately with the amount of stored RBCs transfused. The maximal deformability index value was significantly and dose-dependently decreased, suggesting that hemodynamic blood flow, especially the microcirculation may be impaired in patients who receive large amounts of stored RBCs.