The effect of plastic overwraps on storage measures of red cell concentrates.
BACKGROUND
For hygienic purposes, plastic overwraps can be used for storage of leucoreduced red cell concentrates (LR-RCC). However, the effect of the use of such overwrapping on in vitro parameters during 42 days of storage was unknown.


METHODS
In paired experiments, LR-RCCs in SAGM (saline, adenine, glucose, mannitol) were packed in two types of polyethylene overwrap or in a polypropylene overwrap; no overwrap served as reference (n = 12 paired experiments). Units were stored at 2-6 degrees C for 42 days and sampled at regular intervals for in vitro analysis.


RESULTS
No significant effect was found for any of the overwraps investigated. All units contained > 2.7 micromol adenosine triphosphate per gram haemoglobin and had a haemolysis rate well below 0.8% on Day 42.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of plastic overwraps does not affect red cell quality markers in vitro.
van der Meer
P F
PF
Sanquin Blood Bank North West region, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.vandermeer@sanquin.nl
Pietersz
R N I
RN
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D010969:Plastics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000009:adverse effects; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000009:adverse effects; D019064:Product Packaging / Q000379:methods
D010969:Plastics; D011126:Polypropylenes; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D020959:Polyethylene