A new storage medium for canine blood.

A solution consisting of ascorbate phosphate, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, and dextrose was developed to extend the shelf life of canine blood stored for transfusion. The 24-hour poststorage viability remained above 70% for 6 weeks of storage at 4 C. The concentration of 2,3 diphosphoglycerate remained constant for 3 weeks, then declined slowly. After 6 weeks of storage, the 2,3 diphosphoglycerate content was still sufficiently high to allow adequate dissociation of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin in vivo. It was concluded that blood stored up to 6 weeks in this solution would be safe to use for transfusion.