What is the Storage Lesion?
The storage lesion refers to the collection of changes that occur to red blood cells (RBCs) during storage.1,2,3
How Does the Storage Lesion Impact Red Blood Cells?
During storage, RBCs undergo progressive damage that may lead to:
- Reduced viability:
The ability of RBCs to survive and function effectively may decrease.3,5,6 - Impaired blood flow:
Changes in RBCs can affect their ability to flow smoothly through blood vessels.3,6,7 - Decreased oxygen delivery:
RBCs may become less efficient in delivering oxygen to the tissues.7,8,9 - Increased waste production:
Storage lesion can lead to the generation of potentially harmful waste particles.1,6,10
How Does the Storage Lesion Impact the Body During Transfusion?
- Changes from storage can mean fewer deformable red blood cells in circulation and more red blood cells that get stuck, resulting in less oxygen delivery to tissues. 7,11,12
- Free iron and hemoglobin can also damage blood vessels after transfusion.6,13
- These storage changes may play a role in poor outcomes in many types of patients requiring transfusions14,-21
See how RBCs affected by the storage lesion impact the body
Scientific Understanding
The existence of the storage lesion is well-established, and ongoing scientific research continues to deepen our understanding of its effects. These impacts underscore the importance of managing the storage lesion for effective transfusion outcomes.3,6,22-26
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