Background
Transfusion of older stored blood may be harmful.
Conclusion
As stored red blood cells age, structural and biochemical changes occur that lead to faster scavenging. Significance: Increased nitric oxide scavenging by red blood cells as a function of storage age contributes to deleterious effects upon transfusion.
Results
Older stored red blood cells scavenge nitric oxide more than fresher cells.
Significance
Increased nitric oxide scavenging by red blood cells as a function of storage age contributes to deleterious effects upon transfusion.