Relationships between in Vivo Survival and (1) Density Distribution, (2) Osmotic Fragility of Previously Frozen, Autologous, Agglomerated, Deglycerolized Erythrocytes

In 39 autotransfusions, significant correlations were observed between (1) density distribution and (2) osmotic fragility and 24‐hour posttransfusion survival of chromium‐labeled human erythrocytes preserved with glycerol using a slow‐freeze agglomeration technic. The temperature of storage and the volume of isotonic saline used to disaggregate the agglomerated red cell mass were critical; optimum results were observed following storage of the preserved cells at –80 C and with disaggregation of the agglomerated red cell mass of each unit with 250 cc of isotonic saline. These data indicate that preserved cells with a marked increase in density and a marked decrease in osmotic fragility had a decreased posttransfusion survival. Within 24 hours following the infusion of preserved cells characterized by a marked increase in density and a marked decrease in osmotic fragility, temporary sequestration of a portion of cells was observed, with release of these cells noted on the third to fourth day following the transfusion.