IN-VITRO PROPERTIES OF ADDITIVE SUSPENDED RED-CELLS COLLECTED INTO A DEXTROSE-FREE ANTICOAGULANT

450 mL blood donations were collected into 4% tri-sodium citrate in st andard plastic containers and red cells (RCCs) were prepared within 2 h of collection or after a 6- or 20-h hold at 22-degrees-C. Red cells were suspended in licenced additives and stored for 5 weeks. Compared to RCCs derived from standard anticoagulant (CPD), RCC's processed wit hin 2 h from 4% citrate collection showed similar maintenance of adeno sine tri-phosphate (ATP), while enhanced stability of 2,3-diphosphogly cerate (2,3-DPG) (mumol 2,3-DPG/g haemoglobin at day 10=10.5 for 4% ci trate vs 3 for CPD, P<0.001) was observed. In blood held at 22-degrees -C for 20 h prior to processing, 2,3-DPG in RCCs from 4% citrate units was higher than in RCCs from CP2D units (10.7 mumol/g Hb vs 2.1 mumol /g Hb, P<0.001). However, these conditions led to lower ATP levels at day 35 with both 4% citrate and CP2D collection, and levels in 4% citr ate were lower. These results suggest that collection of red cells pri or to suspension in standard additives may be performed in dextrose-fr ee anticoagulant if red cells are processed within 2-6 h after collect ion. This may allow flexibility in the formulation of platelet storage media from such collections. In units processed after 20-h holding pe riods supplementation of the red cell additive with additional dextros e may be required in order to allow optimal red cell storage.