The age of stored red blood cell concentrates at the time of transfusion

N. J. H. Raat, F. Berends, A. J. Verhoeven, D. de Korte, C. Ince

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Abstract

In the past decade, studies suggesting a reduced oxygen delivery by stored red blood cell concentrates (RBCCs) have initiated a discussion about the use of fresh versus old blood. We determined whether old RBCCs represent a significant part of the total of RBCCs issued. The age of RBCCs at the time of transfusion was determined in 74 084 units during a 5-year period in the Academic Medical Center, a main Dutch University Hospital. The mean (+/- SD) storage time of the total number of transfused RBCC was 19.4 +/- 7.0 days, and 37% were older than 3 weeks. As more than one-third of the transfused RBCC units are stored for longer than 3 weeks, the research examining differences in oxygen delivery between fresh and stored RBCC is relevant for packed RBC transfusion practice
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-423
JournalTransfusion medicine (Oxford, England)
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

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