Blood components

Concentration of frozen red blood cells

DEFINITION

Concentrations of red blood cells preserved frozen at -80ºC.

HOW IT IS OBTAINED

Firstly, glycerol is added to the red blood cell concentration to obtain a 40% intraerythrocyte concentration of glycerol, and then it is placed in an electric freezer at -80ºC. 
Before use, the red blood cell concentration is thawed in a Bain Marie at 37ºC and then undergoes a process of deglycerolisation by adding a hypertonic solution of 12% NaCl. It is then washed with a solution of 0.9% NaCl and 0.2% glucose to obtain a suspension of red blood cells in this solution.

COMPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS

Red blood cells: During the freezing and thawing of red blood cell concentrations, the loss of cells is no more than 20%.
Haemoglobin free from serum: less than 0.2 g/dl.

ANALYSIS RESULTS

• ABO group and Rh factor.
• Irregular antibodies: negative, for clinically significant antibodies in the conditions of usage of this product.
• Surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBs Ag): negative.
• Antibodies against the hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV): negative.
• Antibodies against the Immunodeficiency virus (Anti-HIV 1+2): negative.
• Syphilis serology: negative.
• RNA of HCV (PCR): negative (this test is done on the frozen unit or on later samples by the same donor).

RECIPIENT

Collapsible plastic bags. During the preservation at -80ºC, these bags are placed in a cardboard box..

IDENTIFICATION

With labels containing the following data: name of the centre, type of product, ABO group and Rh (D) factor, unit number, date of extraction, expiry date, results of analysis, type of anticoagulant, preservation and administration conditions.

PRESERVATION

Below -70ºC.

EXPIRY DATE

Frozen red blood cell concentrations at -80ºC can be kept for 10 years. 
After thawing, they must be used within 24 hours.