Effects of Centrifugation on Erythrocytes

In order to determine the effects of centrifugation on stored erythrocytes, survival studies were performed on units which were centrifuged either once on the day of collection, twice on the day of collection, or once on day 21. No meaningful differences existed between the study groups and a control group. These findings indicate that single centrifugation at any time throughout storage is not harmful, and that double centrifugation on the day of collection does not significantly alter erythrocyte survival. Regulations requiring sedimentation rather than centrifugation for the preparation of Red Blood Cells (Human) after the sixth day of storage should be re-evaluated.