Survival, function, and hemolysis of shed red blood cells processed as nonwashed blood and washed red blood cells.

Background: Shed nonwashed blood and shed washed red blood cells (RBC) are being used as alternatives to allogeneic liquid-preserved RBC for patients during thoracic and cardiovascular surgical procedures.

Methods: Mongrel dogs were bled a volume of blood into the abdominal cavity and the shed blood was reinfused as nonwashed blood or washed RBC. The 51Cr RBC volumes were measured before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the exchange transfusion to assess the recovery of the shed RBC and the 24-hour posttransfusion survival. Compatible dogs were given allogeneic transfusions of 51Cr-labeled nonwashed blood and washed RBC, and 24-hour posttransfusion survival and half-life were measured.

Results: Immediately after the 100% exchange transfusion, the recovery value was 62% for the nonwashed shed blood and 82% for the washed RBC. Both the nonwashed blood and the washed RBC had 24-hour posttransfusion survival values of 90% and normal oxygen transport function after the exchange transfusion. Compatible allogeneic 51Cr-labeled nonwashed blood and washed RBC had normal 24-hour posttranfusion survival and 51Cr half-life values.

Conclusions: The survival, function, and hemolysis of shed nonwashed blood and shed washed RBC were similar to fresh blood in the dog that underwent a 100% exchange transfusion.