The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 19, 153-157, Copyright © 1975 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
The use of saline-washed frozen red cells for extracorporeal bypass
M Lewis, GC Pinder and AA Lefemine
The use of saline-washed frozen red cells and homologous whole blood during
cardiopulmonary bypass was compared in two groups of patients with similar
medical disease, sex, age, pump time, types of operation, and surgical
techniques. A technique for using saline-washed frozen red cells for
cardiopulmonary bypass with no increase in hemolysis is described.
Increased platelet counts were present at the end of bypass in the patients
who were given frozen cells. The availability and the many advantages of
frozen cells, such as improved oxygen transport and the absence of
homologous blood reactions and viral infections, make them the preferred
cellular blood component for use during open-heart operations.