Evaluating the quality of red blood cell concentrates irradiated before or after cryopreservation

Abstract

BACKGROUNDCryopreserved red blood cell concentrates (RCCs) are often required for patients with rare blood groups. Although transfusions from blood relatives are irradiated before transfusion, research has yet to make clear if this is necessary in cryopreserved RCCs. Given insufficient evidence to the contrary, irradiation of cryopreserved RCCs has been recommended, but the effect of irradiation timing is unknown. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the effect of RCC irradiation pre‐ and postcryopreservation on RCC quality.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSNine whole blood units from healthy donors were processed into RCCs using the buffy coat method. ABO‐ and Rh‐matched units were pooled and split into three groups: precryopreservation irradiation (pre‐CIG), postcryopreservation irradiation (post‐CIG), and nonirradiated controls. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell (WBC) count, extracellular potassium, mean cell volume, red blood cell (RBC) morphology, and RBC deformability were measured.RESULTSExtracellular potassium was greater in the irradiated conditions when compared to the nonirradiated controls and was greater in the post‐CIG group when compared to the pre‐CIG group (p < 0.05). WBC counts decreased after cryopreservation in all groups to values lower than the sensitivity of the assay. RBC deformability was greater in the post‐CIG group when compared to the pre‐CIG group and control group. No other significant differences were observed between groups.CONCLUSIONIrradiation of RCCs can be performed pre‐ or postcryopreservation with little effect on the RCC product, as both irradiated groups resulted in RCCs that were comparable to the nonirradiated cryopreserved RCCs.

Donor‐dependent aging of young and old red blood cell subpopulations: Metabolic and functional heterogeneity

“…On Day 3 postcollection, 50 mL of each RCC unit was sampled using aseptic technique as previously described 35 for fractionation into young (less dense) and old (denser) RBC subpopulations using a Percoll‐density centrifugation method.…”

Comparison of the programmed freezer method and deep freezer method in the manufacturing of frozen red blood cell products

“…depending on the raw material, but also reported that Hb recovery did not depend on irradiation timings [20]. Although we irradiated RBCs before cryopreservation unlike other countries, a previous study showed that irradiation timing did not affect Hb recovery.…”

“…RBCs as a raw material are irradiated with x‐rays before freezing, thawed FRCs are washed by the Meryman's method, the MAP solution is used as a preservation solution. Turner et al reported that the K + concentration in FTRCs at 24 h after production varied depending on the raw material, but also reported that Hb recovery did not depend on irradiation timings [20]. Although we irradiated RBCs before cryopreservation unlike other countries, a previous study showed that irradiation timing did not affect Hb recovery.…”