CDS-AG medium for red blood cell preservation.

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Hematology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Red blood cell (RBC) preservation is crucial for transfusion efficacy.
• Optimizing storage solutions can improve posttransfusion survival and cellular integrity.
• Current methods face challenges in maintaining RBC viability over extended periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a citrate-dextrose-sucrose-adenine-guanosine (CDS-AG) solution for storing buffy coat-free red cell concentrates (RCC).
• To assess the posttransfusion survival, metabolic status, and morphological changes of RBCs stored in CDS-AG.
• To compare the effects of different anticoagulant solutions on RBC preservation.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of buffy coat-free RCC from ACD, ACD-AG, and EDTA blood.
• Resuspension of RCCs in CDS-AG solution.
• Assessment of posttransfusion survival, ATP levels, hemolysis, and RBC morphology (discocytes, echinocytes, spherocytes) after storage.
• Evaluation of RBC shrinkage and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).

Main Results:

• RBCs in CDS-AG showed approximately 80% posttransfusion survival after 35 days of storage.
• Stored RBCs retained 50-63% of normal ATP levels with minimal hemolysis (approx. 0.3%).
• Morphological analysis revealed transformation to echinocytes (85%) and spherocytes (5%), with a 25% increase in MCHC due to RBC shrinkage.

Conclusions:

• CDS-AG is an effective additive solution for preserving buffy coat-free red cell concentrates, ensuring good posttransfusion survival and metabolic function.
• The storage method minimizes hemolysis and maintains adequate ATP levels for at least 35 days.
• Hypertonic anticoagulant solutions negatively impact RBC survival, increasing shrinkage and hemolysis.