The impact of pressure and temperature on the quality of suspended red blood cells: An ex vivo simulation study

Abstract Objective This study aims to explore the impact of pressurisation and simultaneous warming at a combination of 50 kPa and 46°C on the quality of suspended red blood cells in an ex vivo environment. Background During massive rapid blood transfusion, pressure and temperature‐controlled blood warming devices are often used to prevent hypothermia caused by the infusion of large amounts of cold blood. If the pressure and temperature are not properly applied during this process, it can endanger the patient's life safety. Methods/Materials 400 mL of human suspended red blood cells stored at 2–6°C were subjected to pressure and simultaneous warming at a combination of 50 kPa and 46°C. Changes in blood temperature and blood quality‐related indicators before and after warming under pressure were detected, with the procedure repeated six times. Results In the ex vivo simulated test environment, there were no statistically significant differences in routine blood indicators, biochemical indicators, and hemolysis rates of suspended red blood cells before and after pressure and warming transfusion at 50 kPa pressure and 46°C temperature (P>0.05). There were no significant changes in osmotic fragility after pressure and warming transfusion, and no obvious hemolysis was observed in the morphology of suspended red blood cells under an electron microscope. Conclusion In the ex vivo simulated test environment, pressure and warming transfusion at 50 kPa pressure and 46°C temperature had no significant impact on blood quality, and the blood quality met the standards for the use of blood products.