title: Intraoperative washing of long-stored packed red blood cells by using an autotransfusion device prevents hyperkalemia.
abstract: Long-stored packed red blood cells (PRBCs) have a large potassium load. In patients with end-stage renal failure, the transfusion of such PRBCs may cause a critical increase in plasma potassium levels. Washing PRBCs with an autotransfusion device allows for a marked decrease in potassium load, thus preventing hyperkalemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Knichwitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zahl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Aken
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semjonow
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Booke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011188:Potassium