Salvaging of liquid-preserved O-positive and O-negative red blood cells by rejuvenation and freezing☆

Abstract 

Background

The RBC inventory is subject to seasonal highs and lows. When the inventory is high, units may be lost due to outdating and when the inventory is low, elective surgical procedures may have to be postponed until sufficient blood is available. This study was done to determine if universal donor O-positive and O-negative RBC subjected to various methods of transportation could subsequently be rejuvenated and frozen to be used for inventory control with satisfactory results.

Materials and methods

Units of blood were collected at two different military facilities and processed as whole blood (WB) or packed RBC. The liquid stored WB or RBC units were subjected to transportation, with or without air dropping, as part of a military exercise. The units were kept at 4°C with wet ice during transportation to the NBRL for evaluation. The quality of the liquid preserved RBC was evaluated before rejuvenation and freezing and after the freeze–thaw–wash procedure.

Following frozen storage at −80°C, the RBC were thawed and deglycerolized using the Haemonetics 115 cell washer. In addition to measurements of freeze–thaw and freeze–thaw–wash recovery, other in vitro assessments of RBC quality were made.

Results

The results demonstrate acceptable quality for RBC subjected to transportation, with or without air dropping, following rejuvenation and freezing.

Conclusion

We consider it a prudent practice for liquid preserved O-negative and O-positive RBC collected at various blood collection sites to be sent to a specific facility where the universal donor RBC can be rejuvenated and frozen as a stockpile for inventory control.