Blood Transfusion Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Blood Transfusion, including details on blood donation, blood types, leukemia. | ||||||||
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Increased hemolysis from saline pre-washing RBCs or centrifugal pumps in neonatal ECMO.Masalunga C, Cruz M, Porter B, Roseff S, Chui B, Mainali E Department of Pediatrics, VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. OBJECTIVES: Hemolysis is a significant complication of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), with a reported incidence of 12.2%. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate hemolysis caused by saline-washed versus unwashed RBCs, (2) to determine in vitro the effects of saline washing on erythrocyte hemolytic markers and (3) to investigate hemolysis by centrifugal versus roller pumps. STUDY DESIGN: (1) To evaluate the effect of pre-transfusion saline-washing versus non-washing, the peak plasma-free hemoglobin (FHb) and total bilirubin in the first 3 days versus the next 4 days of ECMO were compared (2) Pre- and postsaline-washed RBCs were analyzed for K+ hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, FHb and hemolysis at baseline and after 4 h of storage at 4 degrees C. (3) Over 10 000 neonatal ECMO cases were retrospectively reviewed to study the effect of pump type on hemolysis. RESULTS: (1) The washed blood group had significantly more hemolysis within the first 3 days of ECMO. (2) Immediately after saline washing, the K+ and Hb concentrations were significantly decreased compared with unwashed blood, and these differences were maintained after 4 h. The osmotic fragility of washed RBCs after 4 h of storage at 4 degrees C was significantly higher than at baseline. (3) Hemolysis was reported more often in the centrifugal than in the roller pump group. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Using unwashed RBCs decreased hemolysis within the first 3 days of ECMO. (2) Saline washing, while decreasing the concentration of K+ in the plasma, significantly increases RBC membrane osmotic fragility. (3) Hemolysis is linked to the use of centrifugal pumps. Published 24 May 2007 in J Perinatol, 27(6): 380-4.
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