Dimensional , Osmotic , Andchemicalchanges of Eryth - Rocytes in Storedblood . I . Blood Preserved in Sodium Citrate

The value of blood, as contrasted with that of plasma or of plasma products, lies chiefly in the ability of its erythrocytes to perform their oxygencarrying function in the circulation of the recipient, the r6le of the other formed elements being considered relatively unimportant. Studies on the storage of whole blood therefore are primarily concerned with the problem of optimal preservation of erythrocytes. Improvements of preservative technique are dependent upon reliable and practical testing procedures of the post-transfusion survival of erythrocytes. While the ability of erythrocytes to survive in the circulation of the recipient, as determined by direct measurement, remains the final criterion of the value of any method of preservation, the laboriousness of the methods available created the need for preliminary testing procedures which could be applied for screening of new preservative solutions before these are submitted to definitive testing in a direct manner. Repeated attempts have been made to use physical, osmotic, and chemical properties of stored blood in 7itro as a guide in the appraisal of preservative methods. A short review of the existing information is indicated.