Use and analysis of saline washed red blood cells.

Data collected from 50 saline washed units of red blood cells shows that units washed with one liter of 0.9 per cent NaCl on an IBM cell processor have an average hematocrit of 72.2 per cent, with 84.7 per cent of the white blood cells removed, and only 0.6 per cent of the original total protein remaining. The red blood cell recovery is 85.5 per cent. Other advantages include low extracellular potassium and reduction in supernatant hemoglobin, metabolic waste products, debris, and nonviable cells. Over 1500 washed units have been transfused, with an average of 150 per month. The clinical response has been very favorable with only one suspected reaction reported since the use of washed cells, and no reported cases of hepatitis.