Osmotic Changes in Erythrocytes of Human Blood During Storage

Abstract

SummaryIn citrate-blood the erythrocytes undergo progressive swelling during storage at 2°C; this is reflected in the increase in the fragility to hypotonic saline solutions. This property is not reversible by washing in isotonic saline. Red cells stored in sucrose-citrate solutions shrink. Erythrocytes in 5.4% dextrose-citrate undergo rapid swelling which is due to the diffusion of dextrose and water into the cells. The process can be reversed by washing with isotonic saline. The addition of hypertonic dextrose solutions to blood-citrate produces hypertonic cell contents during storage. The transfusion of such cells results in intravascular hemolysis by action of the recipient's plasma. The osmotic activity of the erythrocytes thus becomes another criterion for the suitability of stored blood for transfusion. Blood collected in dextrose solutions should be chilled rapidly to avoid osmotic hemolysis during refrigeration.