Transfusion of 28‐day‐old leucoreduced or non‐leucoreduced stored red blood cells induces an inflammatory response in healthy dogs

Abstract

Studies in mice suggest that rapid transfusions of red blood cells (RBCs), refrigerator stored for longer durations, induce a pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Studies in human neonates confirm these findings; however, to date, adult human studies have failed to replicate these findings. We used healthy research dogs to begin to examine the factors affecting the cytokine response to transfusion. In a prospective study, healthy dogs were randomized for two autologous packed RBC transfusions after 7 (i.e. 'fresh') and 28 (i.e. 'old') days of storage, or after 28 and 7days of storage, with or without prestorage leucoreduction (LR). No significant differences were observed between LR and non-LR transfusions for all circulating analytes measured following transfusion. A pro-inflammatory cytokine response, exemplified by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, was observed 6h after only old RBC transfusions, irrespective of infusion rate (P<0·001). This response was accompanied by increased neutrophil counts (P<0·001) and decreased platelet counts (P<0·001). In healthy dogs, old RBC transfusions induce inflammation, which is unaffected by infusion rate.