Abstract
Initial-flow-rate (Hémorhéomètre) and positive-pressure filtration systems were used to study the effects of EDTA and heparin on erythrocyte filterability after storage of whole blood for up to 6 hours from venepuncture. Heparin had a time-dependent, adverse effect on filtration through 5 µm diameter pores, causing an increase in platelet microaggregate formation and a decrease in leucocyte filterability. Erythrocyte suspensions from which all contaminating platelets and leucocytes had been removed by prefiltration through Imugard IG500 cotton wool, however, showed no significant alteration in erythrocyte filterability during storage of blood in EDTA or heparin; the filtration values were similar to those of defibrinated blood. Thus, for both initial-flow-rate and positive-pressure studies of erythrocyte filterability, blood may be stored at room temperature in either dipotassium EDTA (1.5 mg/ml blood) or lithium heparin (15 IU/ml blood) for up to 6 hours after venepuncture.
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