Abstract
In a trial involving nearly 1100 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, there were no significant differences in outcomes among patients receiving transfusions of red cells stored for 10 days or less as compared with outcomes in those receiving red cells stored for 21 days or more.
The objective of red-cell transfusion is to increase oxygen delivery and improve clinical outcomes. However, in the United States, storage systems are licensed for up to 42 days on the basis of the estimated in vivo recovery of transfused red cells rather than on the basis of the clinical effectiveness of the transfusion.
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During storage, red cells undergo numerous changes.
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Some laboratory data suggest that red cells stored for longer periods may not traverse the microcirculation or deliver oxygen as effectively as those stored for shorter periods.
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Several observational studies have assessed the association between the duration of . . .