Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stored red blood cells (RBCs) accumulate biochemical and biophysical changes, known as storage lesion. The aim of this study was to re-challenge current data that anaemia in chronically anaemic haematology patients is not associated with low skeletal muscle tissue oxygen (StO(2)), and that RBC storage age does not influence the tissue response after ischaemic provocation, using near-infrared spectroscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four chronic anaemic haematology patients were included. Thenar skeletal muscle StO(2) was measured at rest (basal StO(2)), with vascular occlusion testing (upslope StO(2), maximum StO(2)) before and after transfusion. RESULTS: Basal StO(2) was low (53% ± 7%). Average RBC storage time was 10.5 ± 3.9 days. Effects of RBC transfusions were as follows: basal StO(2) and upslope StO(2) did not change significantly; maximum StO(2) increased compared to baseline (64 ± 14% vs. 59 ± 10%, p = 0.049). Change of basal StO(2), upslope StO(2) and maximum StO(2) was negatively related to age of RBCs. The decrease of maximum StO(2) was predicted (sensitivity 70%, specificity 100%), after receiving RBCs ≥ 10days old. DISCUSSION: Resting skeletal muscle StO(2) in chronic anaemic patients is low. RBC storage time affects skeletal muscle StO(2) in the resting period and after ischaemic provocation.