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Evaluating the quality of red blood cell concentrates irradiated before or after cryopreservation
Author(s) -
Turner Tracey R.,
Lautner Larissa,
Hill Angela,
Howell Anita,
Skeate Robert,
Acker Jason P.
Publication year - 2020
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/trf.15589
Subject(s) - cryopreservation , hematocrit , hemoglobin , red blood cell , andrology , irradiation , buffy coat , abo blood group system , blood irradiation therapy , blood product , echinocyte , white blood cell , medicine , immunology , biology , surgery , embryo , physics , nuclear physics , microbiology and biotechnology
BACKGROUND Cryopreserved 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 METHODS Nine 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. RESULTS Extracellular 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. CONCLUSION Irradiation 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.