[Effects of different saccharose and electrolyte concentrations on preserved erythrocytes]

Abstract

Preservation solutions for buffy coat-free red cell concentrates with sucrose concentrations from 234 decreasing up to 15 mmol per 1 solution were tested. The hemolysis rate increased from 0.5 up to 1.9% by decreasing the sucrose concentration. The red cell volume was unchanged at low sucrose concentrations. No differences were noticed in ATP content and morphological changes. A considerable extracellular pH shift at high sucrose concentration exists only at the beginning of storage. A sucrose concentration of 30-50 mmol/l solution (3-5 mmol per unit red cell concentrate) at an ionic strength of 0.16 proves to be most suitable.