Effect of donor blood storage on gel column crossmatch in dogs

Compared with fresh blood, stored equine donor blood results in spurious tube crossmatch incompatibilities. Interpretation of blood crossmatch results is considered subjective.

We aimed to determine if the duration of canine donor blood storage impacts compatibility testing using a standard gel column crossmatch and evaluate interobserver variation in the interpretation of crossmatch results.

Observational study. Whole blood segments were obtained from 23 canine packed red blood cell (RBC) units for use in crossmatches after storage for 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days. Major and minor crossmatches were performed using serum and RBCs, respectively, from two to three healthy "recipient" dogs per unit. All crossmatch results were interpreted by four observers, of whom three were blinded.

All major crossmatches (n = 61) were compatible on day 0 and remained compatible through day 35 of storage. All minor crossmatches (n = 69) were compatible at all time points, except for five donor pairs with 1 to 3+ agglutination. Repeat testing of these five donor pairs confirmed crossmatch incompatibilities on days 0 through 35, with no change in the degree of incompatibility over time. There was substantial agreement among four observers in determining compatibility (κ = 0.94) and scoring incompatibility (κ = 0.76).

The current practice of performing canine crossmatches with whole blood segments stored for up to 35 days is acceptable, with no spurious changes in compatibility expected over time. The substantial interobserver agreement suggests that the gel column is suitable for performing canine crossmatches in a laboratory setting with multiple personnel.