Successful in vivo recovery and extended storage of additive solution (AS)-5 red blood cells after deglycerolization and resuspension in AS-3 for 15 days with an automated closed system.
BACKGROUND
Previously, cryopreserved red blood cell (RBC) units derived from CPD/AS-5 whole-blood (WB) collections have been limited to 24 hours postthaw storage (1-6 degrees C).


METHODS
Sixty-four leukoreduced (LR) and 54 nonleukoreduced (NLR) AS-5 (n = 118) RBC units from 500-mL WB collections were stored for 6 days, glycerolized, frozen (-70 +/- 5 degrees C) for at least 14 days, thawed, deglycerolized, and stored (1-6 degrees C) for 15 days resuspended in AS-3, using an automated closed-system cell processor (ACP 215, Haemonetics). Frozen units were stored in either ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) bags. In vitro parameters were tested in all units 15 days after deglycerolization. In vivo 24-hour recovery was measured in 77 of 118 donors.


RESULTS
Postdeglycerolization in vitro RBC mass recoveries (mean +/- SD) were 96.8 +/- 5.7 and 94.7 +/- 5.6% for EVA LR and NLR units, respectively, and 97.3 +/- 6.2 and 94.7 +/- 6.2% for PVC LR and NLR units, based on unit weight and hematocrit after sampling for in vitro testing, immediately before glycerolization. Hemoglobin content (g/unit, mean +/- SD) after deglycerolization was 40.4 +/- 5.6 and 42.6 +/- 6.0 for EVA LR and NLR units, respectively, and 40.7 +/- 4.8 and 43.0 +/- 7.7 for PVC LR and NLR units. Hemolysis was 0.61 +/- 0.23 and 0.54 +/- 0.16% for EVA LR and NLR units, and 0.47 +/- 0.14 and 0.43 +/- 0.12% for PVC LR and NLR units. In vivo 24-hour recoveries on Day 15 were 83.0 +/- 6.7% (PVC NLR) up to 86.2 +/- 5.7% (EVA NLR).


CONCLUSIONS
With processing on the ACP 215 system, CPD/AS-5 LR and NLR thawed RBC units can be stored for up to 14 days after frozen storage at -65 degrees C or colder in EVA or PVC bags with acceptable in vivo and in vitro RBC quality.
Bandarenko
Nicholas
N
Transfusion Medicine Services, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA.
Cancelas
Jose
J
Snyder
Edward L
EL
Hay
Shauna N
SN
Rugg
Neeta
N
Corda
Tammy
T
Joines
Amy D
AD
Gormas
Jennifer F
JF
Pratt
Gayle P
GP
Kowalsky
Richard
R
Rose
Michael
M
Rose
Leslie
L
Foley
Jim
J
Popovsky
Mark A
MA
D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D011145:Polyvinyls; C016438:ethylenevinylacetate copolymer; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D005990:Glycerol