Multicenter clinical evaluation of red cell concentrates stored up to 6 weeks in MAP, a new additive solution

The clinical safety and efficacy of transfusion of red cell concentrates stored in MAP solution (MAP-CRC) containing mannitol, adenine, glucose, phosphate and citrate, into 39 anemic patients were evaluated. In 23 patients, infusion of MAP-CRC was alternated with infusion of ordinary CRC as a control. The MAP-CRC and CRC used in this study were stored at 4 degrees C for an average of 38.2 +/- 2.6 days (n = 52) and 18.1 +/- 2.2 days (n = 26), respectively. Red cell recovery was 77.5% for MAP-CRC and 82.5% for CRC, based on calculation of the increase in hemoglobin level one day after transfusion. There were no differences between patients transfused with MAP-CRC and those transfused with CRC in clinical findings or biochemical data. No major side-effects other than pyrexia associated with the underlying infections were seen in patients transfused with MAP-CRC. MAP-CRC stored up to 42 days is apparently as safe and effective as stored CRC. This new additive solution may therefore be useful for the future expansion of the indications for autologous blood transfusion by facilitating the collection and storage of more blood in the liquid state for a longer period, and may also be useful in obtaining more plasma from whole blood as source plasma.