Changes in Physical Properties of Stored Erthrocytes

Abstract

ATP depletion of blood stored in ACD is associated with the disc‐sphere transformation, fragmentation loss of membrane lipid, decrease in critical hemolytic volume and a striking increase in cellular rigidity reflected by increased viscosity and decreased filterability. Improved survival after restoration of cellular ATP which results from incubation with adenosine is not associated with any reversal of the lipid loss or critical hemolytic volume. Improved survival correlates with restoration of the ATP‐dependent parameters of cell shape (r = 0.96) and deformability as measured by filterability (r = 0.84) and viscosity (r = 0.73). The interrelated parameters of shape and deformability appear critical as determinants of erythrocyte survival. It is suggested that deterioration of these physical properties is central to the “storage lesion.”