Post-thaw storage at 4 degrees C of previously frozen red cells with retention of 2,3-DPG.

Fresh human blood was collected in CPD, frozen by either the Meryman or the Valeri high glycerol technique, and stored at -80 degrees C. Later the red cells were thawed, deglycerolized by the appropriate technique and resuspended in either saline-glucose wash solution or an additive solution containing ascorbate-2-phosphate, adenine, glucose (dextrose), mannitol and sodium phosphate. The cells were stored at 4-6 degrees C for 21 days and assayed weekly for ATP, 2,3-DPG, pH, P50, glucose utilization and lysis. The additive solution maintained red cell 2,3-DPG at fresh blood levels for 3 weeks and maintained ATP levels sufficiently well to suggest good red cell viability for 21 days. There was no difference in results between the Meryman or the Valeri freezing methods if sodium phosphate was used with the saline-glucose wash solution in the Valeri method. If this additive solution is coupled with sterile deglycerolization techniques, 3 weeks of post-thaw red cell preservation would be practical. Using this additive solution would make frozen blood a reasonable source of red cells for emergency needs in both military and civilian blood banking.