Role of nitric oxide in the prevention of severe adverse events associated with blood products.

The reduction in vitro of nitric oxide binding to the globin portion of hemoglobin (SNOHb) in fresh and liquid preserved red blood cells has been reported to be responsible for the severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with red blood cell transfusion. No in vivo data were reported that the reduction in SNOHb in red blood cells following transfusion was irreversible. In addition, no clinical data were reported that the reduction in SNOHb in red blood cells produced severe adverse events (SAEs) in recipients.