Hemolysis in In-Date RBC Concentrates

Abstract

Objectives: Hemolysis is one of the most prominent changes that occur during the liquid storage of RBCs in additive solution (AS), but most studies have measured hemolysis only on day 42.

Methods: Prestorage leukoreduced RBCs in AS-1 and AS-3 were studied, one group on day 42 and a second group between day 0 and day 40. Each product was sampled for direct measurement of supernatant hemoglobin and hematocrit.

Results: Ninety day 42 and 218 day 7 to day 39 RBCs showed a mean ± SD supernatant hemoglobin of 75 ± 100 vs 25.5 ± 16 mg/dL respectively (P < .01). Supernatant hemoglobin correlated weakly with storage age (r = 0.2, P < .01) but more strongly with hematocrit (r = 0.4, P < .01).

Conclusions: There are minimal differences in supernatant hemoglobin until the final days of liquid storage when some high hematocrit RBCs show excessive hemolysis.

Keywords: In vitro hemolysis; RBCs.