Journal of Blood & Lymph

Impact of the Age of Transfused Red Blood Cells in the Trauma Population

Abstract

Stephen Cohn and Natasha Keric

Following injury, transfusion of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) of greater storage duration has been associated with anincreased morbidity and mortality. Prospective trials focusing on the impact of the storage age of RBCs in severely bleeding trauma patients have typically failed to accrue patients. This has been attributed to both inability to maintain a large inventoryof fresh RBCs, and the difficulties in obtainingconsent in severely bleeding trauma patients. To address theissue of the impact of old blood on the injury victim, we reviewed the literature on this topic.