EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF RED-CELL CON CENTRATES AFTER AIR TRANSPORT

The available supply of blood products determines the rescussitation c apabilities after natural disasters or armed conflicts. Air flight red uces transport delay. The purpose of the present study was to assess t he quality of red blood cell concentrates (RCC) immediatly after air t ransport (j0) and after preservation (j30). We exposed RCC to a real a ir flight (F) or to low pressure (V) corresponding to an air transport in experimental conditions. The quality of RCC was altered immediatly after only the real air flight (hemolysis P = 0.11 % versus 0.04 % fo r witness (T)). These alterations were not observed immediately after the simulated flight (hemolysis V = 0.02 %). After preservation, the R CC was altered both for those exposed to an air flight or to a low pre ssure (hemolysis: P = 1.09 %, V = 0.78 %, T = 0.25 %). Other biologica l alterations (pH, K+, hemoglobin level) suggested that pressure varia tions are not the only one responsible constraint. Other studies are n ecessary to point the mecanism and the optimal life of conservation af ter flight. Exposure of preserved red blood cells to air transport alt ers their therapeutic properties during aging. However, the therapeuti c use of RCC thus transported is not questioned.