Stored red blood cell transfusions: Iron, inflammation, immunity, and infection

EA Hod, SL Spitalnik - Transfusion clinique et biologique, 2012 - Elsevier
The potential adverse effects of transfusion of red blood cells after prolonged storage have
been hotly debated. During refrigerated storage, red blood cells are damaged, a process
known as the red blood cell “storage lesion.” We hypothesized that the delivery of a bolus of
iron derived from these rapidly cleared, damaged, red blood cells is responsible for some of
the adverse effects of transfusion. Iron may play a role in producing a pro-inflammatory
response to transfused red blood cells, potentially through the effects of reactive oxygen …