THE MEASUREMENT OF POST-TRANSFUSION SURVIVAL OF PRESERVED STORED HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES BY MEANS OF TWO ISOTOPES OF RADIO-ACTIVE IRON 1

Abstract

A method of measuring the post-transfusion survival of preserved stored human erythrocytes by means of 2 radioactive isotopes of Fe is described. The method is specific in that only intact circulating cells containing radioactive Fe bound in the Hb molecule are detected. The detn. of the recipient''s pre-transfusion circulating red cell vol. by means of fresh group O cells tagged with Fe59 permits of accurate calculation of recipient post-transfusion red cell radioactivity level corresponding to 100% retention of transfused stored cells tagged with Fe55. This is important in the study of deteriorated bloods in which red cells may be withdrawn from circulation in the interval between starting the transfusion and obtaining the first post-transfusion blood sample. The extent to which Fe derived from non-viable transfused stored cells is re-utilized in the synthesis of new Hb can be measured. The destruction of the homologous cells of patients of group A and B by high anti-A or anti-B titer donor bloods of group O is discussed.