Post-transfusion stability of haemoglobin mass.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Total haemoglobin mass (tHb) as a direct parameter of the blood system and ultimate target of all blood transfusions has not been evaluated for its post-transfusion survival and stability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the latter which may also be relevant from an anti-doping perspective as autologous blood transfusions remain impossible to detect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The tHb was determined by the CO rebreathing method prior to and after donation of 1 unit of whole blood, as well as prior to and after reinfusion (weekly up to 56 days) of the erythrocyte concentrate in 10 men (28 +/- 7 years, 181 +/- 7 cm, 76 +/- 12 kg).

RESULTS

The mean tHb content of the derived erythrocyte concentrate was 60 +/- 3 g, while the net tHb increases after transfusion of 51 g (95% confidence intervals 33-69 g) permitted proof of an elevated tHb for at least 56 days after transfusion.

CONCLUSION

The results show that an elevated tHb induced by autologous transfusion allowed continuous identification although, as expected, a slow decrease of tHb has been revealed in the observation period. In reference to anti-doping, CO rebreathing permits proof of a supraphysiologically elevated tHb but possibly only if a stable baseline value is known.