An evaluation of the preservation of human blood stored in experimental plastic containers

Abstract

Abstract Twenty-nine in vitro tests were applied to samples of blood from six random donors, each blood drawn and preserved at 4 °C. to compare the virtues and limitations of two types of plastic containers versus the conventional glass container. These tests were all applied to each blood sample fourteen hours after bleeding and at weekly intervals for four weeks. Six of these tests showed differences to exist between the blood samples stored in the different containers. Whole blood pH decreased least in bloods stored in type A containers. Plasma potassium showed a greater increase terminally in bloods stored in type A containers over both B and C containers. Plasma prothrombin concentration decreased least in blood stored in type A containers and most in bloods stored in type C containers. Thromboplastic plasma component decreased at a slower rate in bloods stored in type C containers. Glass surface clotting times were slightly prolonged in bloods stored in type A containers. The evaluation of these differences, related primarily to plasma components, must necessarily end with in vitro tests. Differences in osmotic fragility of erythrocytes exhibited between the different blood samples were attributed to individual differences in blood samples except at higher salt concentrations (0.5 to 0.8 per cent). At these concentrations bloods stored in type C containers demonstrated greatly increased hemolysis. This difference is further investigated by in vivo methods in Part II of these studies.