Method for large volume freezing and thawing of packed erythrocytes

摘要

A rigid metal holder having perforated side plates for containing plastic bags of human red blood cells for both freezing and thawing such cells is provided. Hydroxyethylstarch, HES, is used as the cryoprotective agent and, together with the perforated metal plates, permits the very fast freezing rates required to produce viable red cells. The HES is transfusable with the thawed cells so that post-thaw washing is obviated.