The effect of refreezing previously frozen-deglycerolized red blood cells

Frozen red blood cells, once thawed and washed, must be used within 24 hours or discarded. In this study, three units of blood underwent two freeze-thaw cycles. It was shown that red blood cell survival, ATP, and 2,3-DPG were not adversely effected. The data suggest that previously frozen red blood cells should be refrozen, rather than discarded, if not used within 24 hours of deglycerolization.