Prestorage leucofiltration prevents the accumulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in red cell concentrates stored in mannitol-adenine-phosphate medium

Effects of helicopter transport on red blood cell components

BACKGROUND

There are no reported studies on whether a helicopter flight affects the quality and shelf-life of red blood cells stored in mannitol-adenine-phosphate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven days after donation, five aliquots of red blood cells from five donors were packed into an SS-BOX-110 container which can maintain the temperature inside the container between 2 °C and 6 °C with two frozen coolants. The temperature of an included dummy blood bag was monitored. After the box had been transported in a helicopter for 4 hours, the red blood cells were stored again and their quality evaluated at day 7 (just after the flight), 14, 21 and 42 after donation. Red blood cell quality was evaluated by measuring adenosine triphosphate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and supernatant potassium, as well as haematocrit, intracellular pH, glucose, supernatant haemoglobin, and haemolysis rate at the various time points.

RESULTS

During the experiment the recorded temperature remained between 2 and 6 °C. All data from the red blood cells that had undergone helicopter transportation were the same as those from a control group of red blood cell samples 7 (just after the flight), 14, 21, and 42 days after the donation. Only supernatant Hb and haemolysis rate 42 days after the donation were slightly increased in the helicopter-transported group of red blood cell samples. All other parameters at 42 days after donation were the same in the two groups of red blood cells.

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that red blood cells stored in mannitol-adenine-phosphate are not significantly affected by helicopter transportation. The differences in haemolysis by the end of storage were small and probably not of clinical significance.

Complications related to blood donation: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Population-based data on the rate and outcome of complications related to blood donation are sparse.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Data from a survey conducted in 2003 in Aarhus County, Denmark, were used to assess the overall rate of donor complications. Additional nationwide data on moderate and severe donor complications were obtained from the Danish Register of Complications Related to Blood Donation, with records of all moderate and severe donor complications in Denmark occurring during the period 1997-2003.

RESULTS

In the regional survey, we identified 340 complications of any type among 41 274 donations, corresponding to a rate of 824/100,000 donations [95% confidence interval (CI): 741-916]. All complications were either needle injuries or vasovagal reactions. In the nationwide register, a total of 752 moderate and severe complications were recorded among 2,575,264 donations, corresponding to a rate of 29/100,000 donations (95% CI: 27-31). The rates of complications leading to long-term morbidity or disablement (> 5% loss of working capacity) were 5/100,000 donations (95% CI: 4.2-5.9) and 2.3/100,000 donations (95% CI: 1.8-2.9), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The risk of complications related to blood donation is low. However, attention towards donor complications is warranted, given the non-negligible rate of complications resulting in long-term morbidity and disablement.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of LEUKOSEP HRC-600-C leukoreduction filtration system for red cells

BACKGROUND

Documentation of the benefits of leukoreduction has led to the increased use of this technique and the need for development of efficient and effective techniques for its accomplishment. This study investigated the in vitro properties and in vivo autologous radiolabeled recovery of leukoreduced red cells (RBCs) produced through a leukoreduction filtration system for RBCs (LEUKOSEP HRC-600-C, Hemerus Medical).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Normal subjects donated 36 units of RBCs that were leukoreduced on Days 0, 3, or 5 through a "hands-off" technique. Biochemical studies were performed before and after filtration and at the end of 42 days of storage. Units leukoreduced on Days 0 or 5 were held until Day 42 and used for autologous radiolabeled return to determine recovery with 51Cr single-label radiolabeling techniques.

RESULTS

Leukoreduction filtration was accomplished in 16.3 +/- 2 minutes on Day 0 at room temperature or 27 to 30 minutes on Days 3 or 5 after refrigeration. Leukoreduction efficiency was 4.6 +/- 0.6 log with a median residual white blood cell (WBC) content of fewer than 3.3 x 10(4) WBCs per unit. RBC recovery was 90 +/- 2 percent. Hemolysis was 0.34 +/- 0.16 percent at the end of 42 days of storage. The in vivo recovery of radiolabeled RBCs 24 hours after autologous return was 80.6 +/- 4.5 percent for RBC units leukoreduced on Days 0 and 5 combined.

CONCLUSION

The LEUKOSEP HRC-600-C WBC reduction filtration system produced leukoreduced RBCs efficiently and effectively with acceptable poststorage biochemical measures and posttransfusion recovery after 42 days of storage.