Understanding the effects of gamma‐irradiation on potassium levels in red cell concentrates stored in SAG‐M for neonatal red cell transfusion. Issue 2 (8th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winter, K. M.; Johnson, L.; Kwok, M.; Reid, S.; Alarimi, Z.; Wong, J. K. L.; Dennington, P. M.; Marks, D. C.
• Is Part Of: Vox sanguinis. Volume 108:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 141
• Page End: 150
• Publication Date: 2014-09-08
• Subjects: Blood -- Periodicals; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; Immunohematology -- Periodicals; Immunopathology -- Periodicals; 615.39
• DOI: 10.1111/vox.12194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-9007

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="vox12194-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="vox12194-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Objectives</title> <p>Red cell transfusions, to paediatric patients, are often gamma‐irradiated to prevent transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease. This study measured changes in potassium and other <italic>in vitro</italic> parameters immediately following gamma‐irradiation of paediatric and full‐size red cell concentrates (RCCs).</p> </sec> <sec id="vox12194-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and Methods</title> <p>The effects of irradiation on potassium release in RCCs stored in SAG‐M were investigated under three scenarios. In the first scenario, RCC < 5 days was split into paediatric packs, gamma‐irradiated and tested for potassium and haemolysis at 0, 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h. In the second scenario, full‐size RCCs < 5 days postcollection were gamma‐irradiated and tested as for the paediatric packs. Thirdly, RCCs < 14 days postcollection were gamma‐irradiated and assessed at 6 and 24 h and 7 and 14 days. Each group contained paired controls that were not gamma‐irradiated.</p> </sec> <sec id="vox12194-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In all situations, gamma‐irradiation resulted in a twofold increase in potassium concentrations after 24 h of storage, compared to matched unirradiated controls. This difference was detectable as early as 2 h postirradiation. Few differences were observed between control and irradiated RCCs in other key parameters, including ATP, 2, 3‐DPG, haemoglobin, pH, glucose and lactate concentration.</p> </sec> <sec id="vox12194-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Gamma‐irradiation of RCCs significantly increased extracellular potassium. Irradiation of fresher RCCs results in lower potassium concentrations, which is less likely to lead to hyperkalaemia upon transfusion.</p> </sec> </abstract>