Metabolic aspects and viability of heparin/CPDA-1-stored red cell concentrate as a by-product of a high-yield factor VIII production method.

As a by-product of a new high-yield method of production of freeze-dried factor VIII, red cell concentrate (RCC) containing a small amount of heparin besides CPDA-1 was studied. Compared to CPDA-1 stored RCC no difference was found in hematology parameters and 2,3-DPG levels during 28 days storage. Although still in the normal range for transfusion, ATP levels were significantly lower compared to CPDA-1-stored RCC after 30 days shelf life. A survival study with 51Cr-labelled red cells showed good recovery and normal red cell half-life. Rapid transfusion of heparin/CPDA-1 RCC in 6 volunteers did not have any effect on aPTT. Heparin could not be detected in posttransfusion plasma samples.