STUDIES ON STORED WHOLE BLOOD .2. USE OF PACKED RED BLOOD CELLS

Whole blood collected in ACD or ACD with adenine was studied as units stored with or without plasma over 14 to 28 days. Comparisons were made using various tests, with posttransfusion survival in vivo being the primary guideline. The adverse effects which resulted from storage appeared more slowly in units with plasma than in units without plasma. The inclusion of adenine to either packed or nonpacked units was associated with even less evidence of storage damage. Using the criterion of over 70 per cent recovery in 24 hours as signifying adequate preservation, the average survival value for each group was better when the plasma was present, and even higher when adenine had been added. All tested groups had average values exceeding 70 per cent recovery after 21 days of storage. Blood stored for 28 days with adenine had over 70 per cent recovery with or without plasma. Though the storage damage became more apparent in units without plasma, the average survival value would suggest that the packed units were still useful after 21 days of storage, with extension to 28 days when ACD with adenine was used. 1969 AABB