Viability and Function of Stored Sickle Erythrocytes

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Abstract
Functional and metabolic characteristics of fresh and 3 wk stored erythrocytes from patients with sickle cell anemia were compared. The storage-related changes in ATP, 2,3-DPG [2,3-diphosphoglycerate] and P50 [partial pressure of O2 for 50% Hb saturation] in sickle erythrocytes were similar to those in control (HbA) red blood cells. After storage in CPD [citrate-phosphate-dextrose] sickle erythrocytes maintained significantly higher levels of 2,3-DPG (mean 2.20 .+-. 0.73 mM/ml RBC) than did control cells (mean 0.36 .+-. 0.13 mM/ml RBC). The post-transfusion recovery and survival of stored SS erythrocytes in autologous recipients and in an animal test system were at least as good as those before storage. Tolerance of the storage lesion by sickle erythrocytes is probably related to their young mean cell age. The option of autotransfusion should be explored for selected patients with sickle cell disease in special clinical settings.