Effect of Red Blood Cell Storage Duration on Outcome After Paediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Retrospective reviews have found the use of stored packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in priming to be associated with increased risk of postoperative complications. The purpose of study was to prospectively investigate the influence of duration of storage of PRBCs used in priming the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit on the metabolic profile of the patients, and postoperative outcome after paediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2015, 198 consecutive children operated for cardiac surgery using CPB and received blood for priming the circuit were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the duration of storage of the blood, newer PRBCs group who received blood stored for ≤14 days and the older PRBCs group who received blood stored for >14 days. Results: Mean duration of blood storage used for priming in newer PRBCs blood group (n = 103) was 8.4 ± 3.7 days while it was 21.9 ± 4.5 days in older PRBCs group (n = 95). Metabolic parameters of the PRBCs improved to physiological limits in both the groups after initiation of CPB. Postoperative hepatic, pulmonary, haematological complications, sepsis and multi-organ failure were more in the old PRBCs group. However, the difference was not significant. Similarly, there was no significant difference in incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay and hospital stay and mortality between the two groups. Conclusions: Metabolic parameters of the stored blood become normal after initiation of CPB irrespective of duration of storage. In paediatric patients without significant co-morbidity, undergoing cardiac surgery, transfusion of washed stored blood up to 28 days in CPB priming is safe especially if lesser amount of transfusion is required.