Time Dependent Erythrocyte Morphometric Changes of Prolonged Stored Blood and its Effect on Target Post-transfusion Haematocrit of Splenectomised Mongrel Dogs
Background: Mean values of erythrocytic morphometric parameters of very old blood and its effect on the target post-transfusion haematocrit changes of splenectomised dogs was studied. Methods: Two hundred and fifty milliliters of blood each were drawn from healthy dogs (n=6) into citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-1 anti-coagulated blood bags, preserved for 35 days for the evaluation of erythrocyte morphometric and viability parameters. Thereafter, twenty adult male splenectomised dogs were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=3). Post-splenectomy, 4, 14, 21 and 28 day old blood (DOB) were transfused to groups II-V while group I animals were not transfused. Intraoperative blood loss was determined during the surgery while post-transfusion, animals haematocrit were assayed and used to calculate the targeted haematocrit. Result: Findings revealed irreversible progressive time dependent morphometric changes by day 14 of blood storage. Hence, it is recommended that for transfusion purposes, 4 DOB should be the hallmark as it achieved the desired haematocrit and no morphometric changes were observed from it.