Quality assessment of red blood cell concentrates from blood donors at the extremes of the age spectrum: The BEST collaborative study

• DOI: 10.1111/trf.17471
• Publication Date: 2023-06-30T12:59:44Z
• Authors: Marc Cloutier; Fabrice Cognasse; Ana Paula Hitomi ...; Kelsey Hazegh; Olga Mykhailova; Mackenzie Brandon...; Hind Hamzeh‐Cognasse; Jose Mauro Kutner; Jason P. Acker; Tamir Kanias
• Keywords: Erythrocyte fragility; Blood preservation

Abstract Background Blood donors at the extremes of age spectrum (16–19 years vs. ≥75 years) are characterized by increased risks iron deficiency and anemia, often underrepresented in studies evaluating effects donor characteristics on red blood cells (RBC) transfusion effectiveness. The aim this study was to conduct quality assessments RBC concentrates from these unique groups. Study design We 150 leukocyte‐reduced (LR)‐RBCs units 75 teenage donors, who were matched sex, ethnicity with older donors. LR‐RBC manufactured three large collection centers USA Canada. Quality included storage hemolysis, osmotic oxidative gradient ektacytometry, hematological indices, bioactivity. Results had smaller (9%) mean corpuscular volume higher (5%) concentration compared counterparts. Stored RBCs exhibited susceptibility hemolysis (>2‐fold) This observed all testing independent duration, or type additive solution. male cytoplasmatic viscosity lower hydration RBCs. Evaluations supernatant bioactivity suggested that not associated altered expression inflammatory markers (CD31, CD54, IL‐6) endothelial cells. Conclusions reported findings likely intrinsic reflect age‐specific changes antioxidant capacity physical may impact survival during cold after transfusion.