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A Red Blood Cell Freezing Program for Massachusetts
Author(s) -
Demerjian A.,
Kliman A.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.1972.tb04455.x
Subject(s) - red blood cell , fresh frozen plasma , red cell , medicine , packed red blood cells , blood preservation , whole blood , blood transfusion , surgery , andrology , immunology , platelet
A regular service for freezing, thawing and washing red blood cells was established at the Massachusetts Red Cross Blood Center in 1970. This was the culmination of many years of investigation by the American National Red Cross and was part of a nation‐wide program to introduce frozen, thawed, washed red blood cells. Frozen red blood cells have the advantages of a prolonged dating period, freedom from major hepatitis risks, and negligible leukocyte, platelet and plasma content. The major disadvantages are the complexity of solutions and equipment and the high degree of quality control required. This leads to a five‐to‐tenfold increase in cost when compared to standard red blood cell preparations. If better recruitment methods and better liquid blood processing procedures are developed, the first two advantages of frozen red blood cells over standard refrigerated red blood cells would be lost. There are some patients who cannot tolerate ordinary red blood cells and can only be transfused with the frozen, thawed, washed product. In Massachusetts, the obligatory requirement for frozen red blood cells is approximately 100 units per day or less. Until better liquid blood processing methods and recruitment procedures are developed, the Massachusetts Red Cross Blood Program will need to continue expanding the output of frozen, thawed, washed red blood cells.