VIABILITY OF RED-CELLS STORED IN DIMINISHED CONCENTRATION OF CITRATE

A comparison was made between the post-transfusion survival of red cells stored in standard ACD-A [acid citrate dextrose] and in modified ACD-A, containing 2/3 the amount of citrate. Measurements of survival after 28 days storage in both solutions were made in 6 subjects. Mean post-transfusion survival with the 2 solutions was almost identical. When the results in 1 subject in whom survival was particularly bad with both solutions were omitted mean values at 24 h were 74.0% for standard ACD-A and 74.9% for modified ACD-A. Viability is maintained as well in modified ACD-A as in standard ACD-A. Large differences between donors with respect to the maintenance of red cell viability during storage were indicated.