Viability of cryopreserved red blood cells studied over 96 hr post-thaw

The use of cryopreserved blood is of major importance in the transfusion of patients who are potential candidates for or who have already received a renal allograft. However, the use of this blood is limited because its present shelf life is only 24 hr. Should this shelf life be extended, which is very likely within the next 5 years, it would be essential to know the biologic viability of this blood beyond the 24-hr storage time.In this study, we have investigated the parameters of frozen-deglycerolized human blood that are indicative of red blood cell viability and rate of cell lysis up to 96 hr post-thaw. Our studies support the concept that frozen-thawed blood can be transfused safely after storage for 96 hr.