title: Viability of AS-3 and SAG-M red cells stored in plastic syringes for pediatric transfusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric patients may require small-volume transfusions necessitating splitting of red cell (RBC) units. This process usually involves temporary storage of aliquots in pediatric blood bags or, in some cases, plastic syringes, until they are transfused. While many studies have been published on the efficacy of storage in blood bags, there is little evidence to show that RBCs are safe and effective for transfusion after separation into plastic syringe aliquots.
  
  
  METHODS
  Donor RBC units, stored in either SAG-M (n = 10) or AS-3 additive (n = 11), were split into transfer bags and plastic syringes and stored at either 4 degrees C or room temperature (RT). Half of the aliquots were also irradiated at 25 Gy. RBCs were monitored after 0, 4, and 24 hours of storage with the following variables to assess cellular function and viability: adenosine triphosphate, percent hemolysis, hematocrit, pH, lactate dehydrogenase, extracellular potassium, sodium, and RBC indices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference found between irradiated and nonirradiated aliquots or aliquots stored in the refrigerator versus those stored at RT. Significant differences between aliquots stored in approved transfer bags and those stored in syringes were not identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Irradiation and storage of aliquoted RBCs demonstrated expected but not significant changes in the in vitro variables. Storage for up to 24 hours in syringes does not have a greater detrimental effect on RBCs than storage in transfer bags, making products stored in either container safe for transfusion to pediatric patients.
authors: The Capital Health/Stollery Children's and University of Alberta Hospitals, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. linda.podlosky@capitalhealth.ca
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Podlosky
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Poirier
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Nahirniak
authors: Gwen
authors: G
authors: Clarke
authors: Jason P
authors: JP
authors: Acker
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D006400:Hematocrit; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D019064:Product Packaging / Q000379:methods; D013594:Syringes; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium