Observations on the Preservation of Autologous Human Erythrocytes Using Glycerol, Slow-Freeze Technic and Agglomeration

An evaluation was made of 43 autotransfusions of 10 cc aliquots of chromium labeled human erythrocytes preserved as full units with glycerol, the slow-freeze technic, and agglomeration. These units were stored in the frozen state at −80 C for up to seven and a half months. An evaluation was also made of five autotransfusions, using this same technic, but with storage of two units at a combination of −80 C and −20 C and three units at −20 C alone for approximately five months. The agglomeration process produced Coombs positive erythrocytes. The data showed that the storage period of approximately five months at a combination of −80 C and −20 C and at −20 C alone produced unacceptable in vivo survival and excessive in vitro loss of hemoglobin. Optimum in vitro and in vivo results were produced when 250 cc of isotonic saline was used instead of 75–100 cc to disaggregate the agglomerated erythrocytes which were frozen and stored at −80 C. When 250 cc of isotonic saline was used to disaggregate the agglomerated erythrocytes, which were frozen and stored at −80 C up to seven and a half months, the cells could be stored in saline or, after centrifugation, in autologous plasma for up to 11 days at 4 C with 24-hour posttransfusion survival of 65 per cent or greater. The in vitro loss related to preservation, the total supernatant hemoglobin on the day of transfusion, and the mechanism of the immediate removal of the nonviable erythrocytes are reported.