Lifespan of Preserved Red Cells1

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Abstract
Forty‐four long‐term red cell survival studies were performed in 39 patients, the majority of whom had either traumatic injuries or carcinoma. With the aid of a computer, the lifespan and the rate of random destruction of preserved red cells were estimated in each recipient.The 24‐hour survival was a satisfactory measurement of the percent of viable red cells in the transfusion. The mean red cell lifespan (97 days) was not affected by either the method of preservation (liquid or freeze preservation) or the length of storage at +4 or — 80°C. Accelerated linear removal of red cells was seen in severely injured patients; improved red cell survival was associated with improvement in the recipient's health. The correlation between the lifespan of transfused red cells and the recipient's general health suggests that the decreased long‐term survival noted in these recipients was produced by some extracorpuscular ‘toxic’ factor.

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