Table 1 Characteristics of the storage lesion.
From: Blood transfusion in the critically ill: does storage age matter?
Storage Effect | Consequences |
|---|---|
Changes to red cell structure and function | Â |
   Cellular membrane changes | Erythrocytes change shape Decreased survivability |
   Decreased 2,3-diphsophoglycerate | Increased oxygen affinity Decreased oxygen delivery |
   Decreased adenosine triphosphate | Erythrocytes change shape Increased cell fragility Less resistance to oxidative stress |
Changes in red cell storage medium | Â |
Accumulation of bioactive substances (cytokines, histamines, lipids, enzymes) | Increased oxidative environment Febrile transfusion reactions Immunologic activation/suppression |