What is erythrocyte washing?

Washed red blood cells is a special type of blood product when red blood cells are washed twice with physiological saline. This type of preparation will help reduce the risk of blood transfusion complications, especially in subjects with a history.

Washed red blood cells are a type of blood product consisting of red blood cells that have been washed with saline. Accordingly, technicians and hematologists will take units of whole blood or erythrocytes and wash them with 1 to 2 liters of physiological saline by manual method or in an automatic blood cell washing machine. motion. The product after being washed will be difficult to avoid, the percentage of red blood cells is 10 to 20% more deficient than the original.
Thus, because a large number of components have been washed away, the risk of adverse symptoms, including transfusion complications, is minimized. The composition is composed of 99% of the plasma protein and 85% of the original white blood cell count. The residual potassium concentration was only 0.2 mEq/L. Other erythrocyte metabolites are also almost completely eliminated. Besides, the washing process also removes the cytokines that cause the fever response.
Since the preparation of washed erythrocytes occurs in an open system, breaking the seal of the original whole blood or erythrocyte sedimentation units, the risk of infection is unlikely to be completely avoided. Therefore, this blood product has a short shelf life, no more than 24 hours from the time of preparation, although it still needs to be stored at a temperature of 2 - 6 degrees Celsius. In addition, the removal of the anticoagulant preservation solution Blood also limits cell viability and function.

Indications for transfusion of washed red blood cells are as follows:
History of transfusion reactions not improved by transfusion of leukocyte-poor red blood cells Have IgA deficiency in the presence of anti-IgA antibodies in the blood Have had a reaction Severe anaphylactic reaction in previous blood transfusion Ever had an allergic reaction that was severe erythema but could not be prevented with antihistamines prior to transfusion Requires transfusion of infant or fetus in utero .

However, do not arbitrarily use washed red blood cells for emergency reasons, patients with simple IgA deficiency, febrile reactions can be controlled with antipyretics and leukocyte-poor blood products. ...
In summary, a history of having a blood transfusion accident that is difficult to control is a factor to be avoided in the next blood transfusion. At this time, washed erythrocytes are the blood product of choice, in order to ensure patient safety and maintain life in subjects with serious diseases requiring lifelong blood transfusion.
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