Improved blood storage unit and method of storing blood

摘要

Blood storage units comprising containers with aqueous preservative solutions therein are improved by incorporating dihydroxyacetone (DHA) together with L-ascorbate (vitamin C) in the preservative solutions. The invention also relates to a method of storing human blood wherein viable red cells are stored in contact with both DHA and L-ascorbate. The preservative solution of the blood storage unit may also contain an anticoagulant such as citrate, a sugar energy source such as dextrose, and an ATP maintaining agent such as adenine. Where the blood storage unit is to be heat sterilized, as preferred, a blood bag providing a separate compartment for part of the preservative agents prevents deterioration of the preservative agents, the DHA and sugar energy source being heat sterilized separately for later admixture with the ascorbate, citrate anticoagulant and adenine. Separate pH control can also thereby be provided for the heat sterilization.