Cryopreserved deglycerolized blood is safe and achieves superior tissue oxygenation compared with refrigerated red blood cells: a prospective randomized pilot study.
BACKGROUND
During preservation, donated liquid red blood cells (RBCs) experience multiple functional and structural changes known as the storage lesion. Increased RBC age is associated with increased infection rates, organ failure, and mortality.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized, double-blinded pilot study enrolled stable trauma patients who required RBC transfusion. Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard or cryopreserved RBCs. Continuous tissue oxygenation (StO2) monitoring was performed during the peritransfusion period. Hematocrit and thrombelastography before and after transfusion were evaluated. Patients were monitored for transfusion reactions and clinical outcomes.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven patients were randomized, and groups were well matched for demographics and Injury Severity Score (ISS). No statistically significant differences were noted in hematocrit change, thrombelastography parameters, transfusion reactions, or clinical outcomes. StO2 was found to be higher in the cryopreserved group.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryopreserved RBCs are equally safe and efficacious to refrigerated RBCs. This storage technique extends the life span of RBCs to 10 years, potentially preserving a precious resource and preventing the storage lesion. StO2 was superior in patients receiving cryopreserved RBCs. This finding has the potential to drive a paradigm shift in transfusion practices.


METHODS
Therapeutic study, level II.
Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, USA. fabrican@ohsu.edu
Loic
L
Fabricant
Laszlo
L
Kiraly
Connor
C
Wiles
Jerome
J
Differding
Samantha
S
Underwood
Thomas
T
Deloughery
Martin
M
Schreiber
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013916:Thrombelastography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy