The Impact of Donor RBC Storage Duration on the Efficacy of Chronic RBC Exchange

ABSTRACT

Red blood cells (RBCs) accumulate damage during storage, shortening their post‐transfusion lifespan. For chronic RBC exchange (RBCx), fresh RBCs have been preferred because of this concern. This study assessed the impact of RBC storage time and analyzed 20 procedures using freshness‐waived RBCs. The results confirmed a reduction in calculated RBC lifespan. However, the impact on hematocrit or HbS percentage was not significant. Extending RBC freshness criteria for chronic RBCx could reduce costs while maintaining similar outcomes.