Transfusion of recently donated (fresh) red blood cells (RBCs) does not improve survival in comparison with current practice, while safety of the oldest stored units is yet to be established: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Preclinical studies generated the hypothesis that older stored red blood cells (RBCs) can increase transfusion risks. To examine the most updated and complete clinical evidence and compare results between two trial designs, we assessed both observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the effect of RBC storage age on mortality.

Materials and methods

Five databases were searched through December 2014 for studies comparing mortality using transfused RBCs having longer and shorter storage times.

Results

Analysis of six RCTs found no significant differences in survival comparing current practice (average storage age of 2 to 3 weeks) to transfusion of 1- to 10-day-old RBCs (OR 0·91, 95% CI 0·77-1·07). RBC storage age was

SUBMITTER: Remy KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4938770 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature