Transitory interruption of recommended storage conditions does not cause significant changes in in vitro parameters of leucocyte-depleted red blood cells

Abstract

Conventional quality control studies of the shelf life of RBC units do not consider cold chain interruptions that occur during cross-matching or between the release of RBCs from the blood bank and their return from the ward. These interruptions may, however, lead to a considerable loss of quality. On the other hand, differences in the quality of RBCs may derive from the different manufacturing processes employed in various blood centres. One day after the expiry date of the RBC unit, we analysed complete blood count, blood gas, potassium, LDH, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, glucose, lactate, total and free haemoglobin (Hb) and ATP and compared the results with regard to the frequency of storage interruptions and to two manufacturers of these RBCs. We could not find any correlations between the frequency of interruptions (0-11) and these parameters in any of the data sets. However, we found significant differences when comparing the two suppliers. RBCs of manufacturer A ('A', inline filtration of whole blood) contained 25% more Hb than those of manufacturer B ('B', inline filtration after buffy coat reduction). Sixteen percentage of 'A'-RBC, but none of 'B'-RBC, exceeded a haemolysis of 0.8%. Transitory interruptions of cold chain do not measurably impair the quality of RBCs. The effect on storage of RBCs in the blood bank is not as significant a factor as the differences that exist between RBC manufacturing procedures.