Transfus Apher Sci
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of non-leukoreduced red blood cell transfusions on microcirculation in mixed surgical patients.
The impact of the storage process on oxygen-carrying properties of red blood cells and the efficacy of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions concerning tissue oxygenation remain an issue of debate in transfusion medicine. Storage time and leukocyte content probably interact since longer storage duration is thought to cause greater accumulation of leukocyte-derived cytokines and red blood cell injury. ⋯ Fresh non-leukoreduced RBC transfusions but not RBCs stored for more than 3weeks, were effective in improving microciruculatory perfusion by elevating the number of perfused microvessels in mixed surgical patients.