Red cells can be modified during the manufacturing process to help meet the clinical needs of certain patients. Red cells can be frozen, washed and collected from IgA-deficient blood donors.
Frozen red cells
Red cells can be frozen for up to 30 years or sometimes longer if there is a particular need for specific units of rare red cells. Glycerol is added to red cells as a cryoprotective agent, and the red cells are then frozen between -65 °C and -80 °C.
Prior to transfusion, the glycerol is removed from the thawed component by washing the red cells with saline. After washing, the red cells are resuspended in additive solution and must be transfused within 24 hours. There is a some loss of red cells during the freezing and thawing process.
When requesting frozen red cells it should be noted that thawing and processing time is several hours.
When should I use this modification?
For patients with rare red cell phenotypes or who have multiple red cell antibodies, or for autologous collections where liquid-preserved blood can’t meet the patient’s needs.
Washed components
Red cells are washed with additive solution to remove the majority of unwanted plasma proteins, antibodies and electrolytes. The washed red cells are then resuspended in additive solution.
Some red cells are lost during this process.
When should I use this modification?
The following groups of patients should receive washed components:
- patients with reactions to transfused plasma proteins (e.g. patients who have IgA deficiency and antibodies to IgA)
- multi-transfused patients with severe recurrent febrile, urticarial and possible anaphylactic reactions
IgA-deficient components
Red cells can be washed to provide an lgA-deficient product.
lgA-deficient platelet and plasma components are sourced from lgA-deficient donors with an lgA level <0.001 g/L.
When should I use this modification?
IgA-deficient components are indicated for severely IgA-deficient patients with known IgA antibodies who experience recurrent severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions.
Updated July 2026