Effects of storage-aged red blood cell transfusions on endothelial function in hospitalized patients

Robert Neuman, Salim Hayek, Ayaz Rahman, Joseph C. Poole, Vivek Menon, Salman Sher, James L. Newman, Sulaiman Karatela, David Polhemus, David J. Lefer, Christine De Staercke, Craig Hooper, Arshed A. Quyyumi, John D. Roback

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Clinical and animal studies indicate that transfusions of older stored red blood cells (RBCs) impair clinical outcomes as compared to fresh RBC transfusions. It has been suggested that this effect is due to inhibition of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation after transfusion of older RBC units. However, to date this effect has not been identified in human transfusion recipients. Study Design and Methods Forty-three hospitalized patients with transfusion orders were randomly assigned to receive either fresh (<14 days) or older stored (>21 days) RBC units. Before transfusion, and at selected time points after the start of transfusion, endothelial function was assessed using noninvasive flow-mediated dilation assays. Results After transfusion of older RBC units, there was a significant reduction in NO-mediated vasodilation at 24 hours after transfusion (p = 0.045), while fresh RBC transfusions had no effect (p = 0.231). Conclusions This study suggests for the first time a significant inhibitory effect of transfused RBC units stored more than 21 days on NO-mediated vasodilation in anemic hospitalized patients. This finding lends further support to the hypothesis that deranged NO signaling mediates adverse clinical effects of older RBC transfusions. Future investigations will be necessary to address possible confounding factors and confirm these results.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)782-790
Number of pages9
JournalTransfusion
Volume55
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Hematology

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