EFFECT OF BLOOD-TRANSFUSION ON INVIVO LEVELS OF PLASMA FIBRONECTIN

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 98  (3) , 336-341
Abstract
Fibronectin, an opsonic glycoprotein, binds fibrinogen and fibrin. Microaggregate debris contained in stored bank blood is composed of degenerating platelets, leukocytes and fibrin strands. The debris ranges in size from 10-160 .mu.m. The effect of transfusion of 2 units of stored red blood cells, containing varying amounts of microaggregate debris, on in vivo levels of fibronectin was examined. Anemic outpatients were selected at random to receive blood transfusion through a 170-.mu.m standard blood filter or 1 of 4 microaggregate filters. A 6th group received saline-washed red blood cells. Results showed that the greatest drop in posttransfusion levels of fibronectin (39 .mu.g/ml) were in the group that received blood through a 170-.mu.m standard filter and thus received the greatest amount of microaggregate debris (P < 0.05; N = 50). The patients who received the least microaggregate debris, those receiving washed red cells, showed the smallest decrease in posttransfusion levels of fibronectin (9 .mu.g/ml); this decrease was not significant (P > 0.05; N = 50). Patients receiving blood through 20-25 .mu.m microaggregate blood filters showed a fall in posttransfusion levels of fibronectin (10 to 15 .mu.g/ml) intermediate between that found for the 2 groups described above; this decrease was not significant (P > 0.05; N = 35). The decrease in posttransfusion levels of fibronectin found after administration of blood through a 40-.mu.m microaggregate screen filter (31 .mu.g/ml) was significantly different from pretransfusion levels (P < 0.05; N = 20). Transfusion of the microaggregate debris contained in 2 units of stored bank blood apparently can lower in vivo levels of fibronectin. If maintaining high levels of fibronectin is of value in the treatment of critically ill patients, removal of microaggregate debris from any blood transfusions required by these patients is warranted.