Influence of early irradiation on <i>in vitro</i> red blood cell (<scp>RBC</scp>) storage variables of leucoreduced <scp>RBC</scp>s in additive solution <scp>SAG</scp>‐M

Abstract

Our findings show that leucoreduced RBCs which are irradiated early after collection show an obvious radiation damage over storage period. Interestingly, on days +28, +35 and +42 the quality of RBCs which were irradiated on day +3 was nearly identical to the quality of RBCs which were irradiated on day +14 in a former series. Early irradiation does not cause more damage of RBCs during subsequent storage than irradiation on day +14. The maximum storage period of irradiated RBCs should remain restricted to 28 days from collection, however independently from the day of irradiation within this period.