Intraoperative washing of long-stored packed red blood cells by using an autotransfusion device prevents hyperkalemia.
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.
Knichwitz
G
G
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Zahl
M
M
Van Aken
H
H
Semjonow
A
A
Booke
M
M
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
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011188:Potassium