EFFECT OF PLASMA REMOVAL ON BLOOD STORED IN ACD WITH ADENINE

The role of plasma in blood preservation was evaluated. Storage studies of packed red blood cells indicated some slight disadvantages compared to whole blood. The present study used units with plasma removed 1 day or 7 days before the transfusion. Additionally, units stored with plasma removed since the day after collection had the volume replaced by saline on the day of transfusion which provided a better flow rate for the infusion. The blood was collected in either ACD and stored for 14 or 21 days, or in ACD-adenine and stored 21 or 42 days. Chemical tests on units after storage showed similar changes though the increase in levels in response to storage was more marked in the control series of packed cell units stored the entire period without plasma. Posttransfusion survival values for the ACD-adenine groups were higher than ACD units at 21 days, with good levels even at 42 days. The values within the experimental groups were similar and higher than the packed cell control units. A special series of units given as autotransfusions at 21 days and 42 days showed reasonable survival levels even at 42 days. Thus, plasma in the unit during storage can be useful and yet is removable without too much loss of blood preservation. Increased preservative effect of adenine did not appear to require the large plasma volume of an intact unit. Hence, the value of plasma in component therapy may well balance the role of plasma in blood storage. (Author)