For decades, stored blood has been a critical component of modern medicine. Blood transfusions help save countless lives every year, and blood banks have become an integral part of any modern health system.

However, as useful as blood transfusions are, it’s important to understand that stored blood has a limited shelf life and diminishes in potency over time. This article aims to explore why that is, how it impacts stored blood’s effectiveness, and what can be done to mitigate any negative effects.

Why does stored blood diminish in potency?

When blood is removed from the body, it goes through a process of degradation. The cells that make up blood start to break down, and the longer it’s stored, the more degradation occurs.

One of the biggest concerns with stored blood is the loss of red blood cell functionality, specifically oxygen-carrying capacity. Stored blood without a source of replenishment eventually loses its capacity to deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues effectively.

Other factors that can affect stored blood’s potency include:.

The type of anticoagulant used during the storage process
The temperature at which the blood is stored
The storage duration before transfusion

Additionally, as blood ages, its cell membranes become more fragile, making them more prone to hemolysis or the rupturing of red blood cells.

Hemolysis can cause cell-free hemoglobin to build up in the blood storage bag, and this, in turn, can cause nitric oxide depletion. Nitric oxide is a critical vasodilator, and a reduction in its availability can lead to vasoconstriction, which can harm the body’s organs and tissues.

How does the loss of potency impact stored blood’s effectiveness?

The effectiveness of stored blood following transfusion is a concern for several reasons.

Transfused blood can cause reactions in recipients who receive blood that has degraded too much.

Some of the symptoms of these reactions can be quite severe, including fever, nausea, and anaphylaxis – a severe and potentially deadly allergic reaction. Additionally, blood that has lost much of its oxygen-carrying capacity may not be effective in helping a patient improve their physical health.

Prolonged storage of blood may also result in bacterial contamination, which can lead to serious infections in those who receive a transfusion. Therefore, the correct usage of blood after prolonged storage is essential to maximize its effectiveness.

What can be done to mitigate blood’s loss of potency?

Several methods can help mitigate blood’s loss of potency over time. One of the simplest and most effective methods is to reduce the storage period before transfusion.

While the FDA recommends that red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days, studies have indicated that shorter storage periods may be more effective in preserving the quality of the blood.

Another method is to decrease the temperature at which the blood is stored. Lowering the storage temperature restricts bacterial metabolisms and thereby reduces the storage period of blood to maintain its quality.

This technique has been shown to improve the shelf life of stored blood without sacrificing its potency.

Finally, new technologies and techniques are being developed to improve blood’s stability and efficacy over prolonged storage periods.

For example, research is being conducted into the use of cryopreservation – a process where blood is frozen at extremely low temperatures, usually using liquid nitrogen – to preserve blood components. While cryopreservation is a relatively new technology, it’s looking very promising as a method to improve blood’s longevity without sacrificing its potency.

Conclusion

Blood transfusions are a critical component of modern medicine, and stored blood has been instrumental in saving countless lives. However, as useful as stored blood is, it’s essential to understand its limitations.

Blood that has been stored for extended periods of time may lose its potency and become less effective in treating patients. Nonetheless, by implementing best-practices in the storage and transfusion of blood products, healthcare professionals can ensure that stored blood remains a safe and effective treatment option for years to come.