[The first clinical experience with cryopreserved erythrocyte concentrate]. / Erste klinische Erfahrungen mit GK-EK (Gefrierkonservierte Erythrozytenkonzentrate).

After a brief illustration of the manufacturing procedure for frozen stored erythrocyte concentrate (GK-EK) the compatibility and transfusion success are assessed by means of clinical and laboratory-chemical parameters. Ensured febrile transfusion responses could not be observed. Indications for GK-EK are given.

[Results (in vitro and in vivo) of cryopreservation of human thrombocytes with glycerol]. / Ergebnisse (in vitro und in vivo) der Kryokonservierung von Human-Thrombozyten mit Glycerol.

The cryopreservation of human platelets was carried out with a final glycerol concentration of 0.38-0.48 mol/l (3.5-4.5%). The in-vitro-recovery (total platelets, aggregation, 14C-5-HT-uptake, clot retraction, total ATP, morphology) was in the range of 35-93% in comparison with freshly prepared platelet concentrates. The platelet survival was investigated by 51chrom labeling and autologous transfusion. A survival rate of 42% and a mean survival of 79% in comparison with freshly prepared platelets is concentrates are the results. In spite of reduced viability the cryopreservation of platelets is invaluable for providing compatible platelets for alloimmunized patients.

Deformability investigations of erythrocytes stored at different temperatures.

The deformability changes of erythrocytes stored at different temperatures were characterized by a filtration procedure. The filterability index (FI) of erythrocytes cryopreserved at either -196 degrees C or -28 degrees C increased (deformability decreased) by about 9% and 40% respectively. For comparison with the cryopreserves the filterability of erythrocytes stored in liquid state at +4 degrees C were investigated. The filterability changes are discussed in comparison with the changes of MCHC during storage.

Deformability of human red blood cells stored for different periods at subzero temperatures.

Deformability changes of human red blood cells (RBC) stored for different periods at +4 degrees C, -28 degrees C and -196 degrees C were characterized by a filtration procedure. The filterability index (FI) of RBC stored at -196 degrees C increased (deformability decreased) by about 8%, whereas FI of RBC, liquid stored at +4 degrees C as whole blood, increased by about 25%. In contrast to both the FI of RBC cryopreserved at -28 degrees C for different periods showed an increase of about 40% after 62 days and seemed to be constant for some further months (up to 240 days). A further FI increase was measured after 485 days. Mean cellular hemoglobin concentration changes during storage are excluded to be the cause for deformability loss in this case. An estimation illustrates the osmotic effect of the residual glycerol content after routine deglycerolization procedure and the differences of osmotic and ionic strength effects on RBC deformability in stored blood.