DONOR BLOOD FROZEN AND STORED BETWEEN -20°C AND -25°C WITH 35-DAY POST-THAW SHELF LIFE

With standard blood bank facilities and interconnected plastic bags donor erythrocytes can be frozen and stored in commercial freezers at temperatures of -20° to - 25°C for at least 6 months. The cryoprotectant, a mixture of glycerol and dextrose, is washed off in a closed-circuit system. After being thawed and reconstituted with an additive solution, the pack of red cells can be stored in liquid form for up to 35 days at 4°-6°C. The system lends itself to routine clinical blood transfusion practice.