The Evaluation of Auto-Transfusion with Red Blood Cells Thawed after Freezing at -80degrees C

Kim, Byung Soo; Lim, Chae Seung; Choi, In Keun; Kim, Suk Jin; Oh, Sang Chul; Shin, Sang Won; Kim, Yeul Hong; Lee, Kap No; Kim, Jun Suk

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The need for auto-transfusion has been increased because the allo-transfusion has many problems such as infection and allo-immunization. But, the maximal storage period of blood at 4degrees C is 28~35 days. For long-term storage, the cryopreservation of blood is essential. However, the cryopreservation research of blood has been done rarely in Korea. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of auto-transfusion of RBCs thawed after freezing at -80degrees C.
METHODS
Twelve healthy donors of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation were participated in this study. Control group was composed with 6 persons auto-transfused with 4degrees C stored blood collected at 3, 2, and 1 week prior to bone marrow harvest. Study group was composed with 6 persons auto-transfused with -80degrees C stored frozen-thawed RBCs, employing a high glycerol technique, collected at 5, 4, and 3 week prior to bone marrow harvest. To evaluate the effects of auto-transfusion at both group, the amount of harvested bone marrow and the changes of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) between pre-harvest and post-transfusion 24 hours were compaired. To assess the efficacy of cryopreservation, the studies for RBC recovery rate, the level of K+ and plasma Hb, bacterial culture and complications of transfusion were performed.
RESULTS
1) The amount of harvested bone marrow and the changes of Hb and Hct: The harvested bone marrow (mL) was 1,350+/-87 in control group and 1,300+/-70 in study group. At pre-bone marrow harvest, the Hb (g/dL) and Hct (%) levels were 13.2+/-0.60, 40.1+/-2.7 in control group and 12.8+/-0.50, 38.3+/-1.9 in study group, respectively. After 24 hours of auto-transfusion, the Hb (g/dL) and Hct (%) levels were 12.9+/-0.42, 38.1+/-1.1 in control group and 12.6+/-0.56, 37.3+/-1.2 in study group, respectively. There were no significant differences in Hb and Hct between pre-harvest and post-transfusion of control and study groups. 2) The efficacy of cryopreservation: The RBC recovery rates were 72~80% and the levels of K+ and plasma Hb were 1.5~3.5mEq/L and 251~840mg/dL, respectively. There was no bacterial growth of frozen-thawed blood culture and no complication associated with transfusion of frozen-thawed blood.
CONCLUSION
It could be suggested that the method of RBC cryopreservation at -80degrees C with high glycerol technique was practically applicable to auto-transfusion.