title: Centrifugation after irradiation of red blood cells does not accelerate haemolysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For intrauterine transfusion and some other rare indications, irradiation and washing or adjustment to an elevated haematocrit is necessary. No data are currently available indicating whether irradiation of red blood cell concentrates (RBCs) might impair the mechanical stability of erythrocytes during centrifugation leading to elevated haemolysis. Consequently, if irradiation and centrifugation of RBCs is necessary, there is no definitive recommendation about the preferred sequence of steps.
  
  
  METHODS
  We divided 20 RBC units that were not older than 9 days into two subunits. These subunits were prepared to yield irradiated RBCs with an elevated haematocrit, as they are used for intrauterine transfusion. One subunit was centrifuged and then irradiated, the other subunit was irradiated and then centrifuged. The units were evaluated in vitro before preparation and on days 1 and 7.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We could not find any difference in the haemolysis rate, extracellular LDH or alpha-HBDH between the two groups of RBCs. This observation indicates that centrifugation after irradiation of RBCs does not accelerate haemolysis. A similar ATP content in the two subunits demonstrated no difference in energy metabolism. The extracellular potassium concentration was significantly lower in the subunits washed after irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no difference in the haemolysis caused by centrifugation between irradiated and non-irradiated RBCs. However, it is well known that washing RBCs after irradiation significantly lowers the potassium content. Summarising these two findings leads to the conclusion that it is optimal first to irradiate and then to wash RBCs.
authors: Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. Dominik.Weiss@uk-erlangen.de
authors: Dominik R
authors: DR
authors: Weiss
authors: Jasmin
authors: J
authors: Goehring
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Weisbach
authors: Erwin F
authors: EF
authors: Strasser
authors: Juergen
authors: J
authors: Ringwald
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Zimmermann
authors: Reinhold
authors: R
authors: Eckstein
mesh_terms: D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate / Q000097:blood; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001793:Blood Preservation; D001805:Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine / Q000379:methods; D002498:Centrifugation; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D006884:Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; C035749:2-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D006884:Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase; D011188:Potassium