In vitro and in vivo measurements of human RBCs frozen with glycerol and subjected to various storage temperatures before deglycerolization and storage at 4 degrees C for 3 days

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the effects of changes in sto rage temperature of frozen RBCs such as might occur during a malfunction of the -80 degreesC mechanical freezer or during shipment. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifteen participants donated blood for autologous transfusion of RBCs; all RBCs were frozen with 40-percent (wt/vol) glycero l. Five subjects received RBCs that were stored at -80 degreesC alone befor e transfusion. Five subjects received RBCs that were stored initially at -8 0 degreesC, then at -40 degreesC for 4 weeks, and finally at -80 degreesC b efore transfusion. Five subjects received RBCs that were stored at -80 degr eesC, then at -20 degreesC for 2 weeks, and finally at -80 degreesC before transfusion. After deglycerolization, the RBCs were stored at 4 degreesC in a sodium chloride-glucose solution for 3 days before transfusion. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in freeze-thaw recovery, freeze-thaw-wash recovery, 24-hour posttransfusion survival, index of thera peutic effectiveness. or RBC ATP levels. Greater hemolysis acid reduced RBC K+ levels were observed in the units stored at -80 degreesC/-40 degreesC/- 80 degreesC and in those stored at -80 degreesC/-20 degreesC/-80 degreesC c ompared with the units stored at -80 degreesC alone, but these differences did not affect the 24-hour posttransfusion survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that RBCs frozen with 40-p ercent (wt/vol) glycerol can be stored at -40 degreesC for 4 weeks or at -2 0 degreesC for 2 weeks between periods of frozen storage at -80 degreesC wi th satisfactory results.