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Haemolysis of red cell concentrates during storage - The impact of donor factors
J Ljubičić1, J Gulan Harcet1, I Jukić1
1Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Petrova 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Background:
The stability of red cell concentrates (RCCs) during storage is routinely assessed by measuring haemolysis, which must remain below 0.8 % in Europe and 1.0 % in the USA. Haemolysis during storage is influenced by both technical factors (e.g., additive solutions, leukoreduction) and donor-related characteristics, such as age and gender.
Objective:
To investigate the influence of donor age, gender, donation frequency and collection time on haemolysis in RCCs during storage.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted on 768 RCCs prepared at the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine over a 13-year period (2011-2023). Haemolysis was assessed on day 35 of storage. Haematological parameters were measured using an Abbott Cell-Dyn Ruby analyser, and free haemoglobin levels using a Plasma/Low Hb photometer, with subsequent calculation of haemolysis percentage. Donor demographic data (age, gender, donation frequency) were retrieved from the blood bank software e-Delphyn. Statistical analyses, including independent-samples t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis, were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software.
Results:
A total of 768 RCC units were analysed. Male donors exhibited significantly higher haemolysis levels compared to female donors (P < 0.001), particularly among younger age groups. In female donors older than 50 years, the median of haemolysis was significantly higher than in those under 50 years (P = 0.022). A weak but statistically significant correlation was observed between haemolysis and donation frequency (rho = 0.163; P < 0.001). However, donation frequency and collection time were not major contributors to haemolysis in regression analysis.
Conclusion:
Donor gender and age significantly influence the level of haemolysis in stored RCCs, with higher haemolysis observed in male and older donors. Donation frequency and collection time were not identified as major contributors to haemolysis in regression analysis. These findings support previous research and highlight the importance of considering donor-related factors when aiming to optimize RCC quality and storage outcomes.
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