One speaker in this session will discuss results of his recently published meta-analysis of the literature correlating storage age of blood with patient outcomes. This is the most complete and detailed analysis of the numerous studies performed in the world to investigate the potential risks of stored older blood. The results show striking consistency, despite differences in blood storage techniques, patient groups and patient age. Another speaker will discuss exciting recent work that correlates changes in metabolic markers in RBCs through metabolic profiling with behavior of the RBC unit during storage and after transfusion. The final speaker will discuss in vitro studies suggesting that not only does stored older blood impair nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation, but that the effect appears to be due to RBCs themselves. These findings have implications for patient safety and blood inventory management, as well as operational and financial consequences for hospital and blood services worldwide.

Dr. Dumont and Dr. Natanson did not consent to presentation capturing and recording.