title: Red cell concentrate storage and transport temperature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the current U.K. guidelines for storage and transport of red cell concentrates (RCC) in saline, adenine, glucose and mannitol (SAGM). The guidelines stipulate storage at 2-6 °C but allow exposure to between 1-10 °C core temperature in a single occurrence of less than 5 h and a surface temperature of 2-10 °C for no more than 12 h during transportation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty RCC units in SAGM were selected on the day of blood collection (day 0) and in vitro quality was tested pre- and post-temperature deviation at 10 °C and up to day 42 of storage. Each group of 10 RCC units was incubated for either 12 h or for both 5 and 12 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Haemolysis was below the 0·8% U.K. limit at day 42 in all units, although there was an unexpected trend towards lower haemolysis in packs incubated for 5 and 12 h rather than just 12 h alone. Supernatant potassium was significantly higher than reference data on day 35 (P < 0·05) with a maximum of 58 mmol L(-1) and day 42 (P < 0·001). All units incubated at 10 °C had comparable levels of adenosine triphosphate and, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to reference data from previous studies, throughout storage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that exposure to 10 °C for 12 h or for 5 and 12 h did not adversely affect in vitro red cell quality for the remainder of the components shelf life.
authors.affiliation: Component Development Laboratory, NHS Blood and Transplant, Brentwood, Essex, UK. vicky.hancock@nhsbt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardigan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate / Q000032:analysis; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D011188:Potassium