Abstract:
Background: The degree of hemolysis must be checked prior to transfusion of Red Cell
Concentrates (RCC), to prevent potential adverse effects that can occur in patients due to
transfusion of haemolysed blood. To calculate percentage hemolysis, plasma hemoglobin (Hb)
must be determined, which is measured using a Plasma/Low Hb photometer (LHBP) which is
currently at the National Blood Centre (NBC).
Objectives: To introduce three new alternative methods to calculate percentage haemolysis of
RCC in blood banks.
Methods: Applying principles of Hb estimation, three new alternative methods are designed to
estimate plasma Hb of RCC and named as visual Hb Colour Scale (CS), Spectrophotometric
Calibration Graph (SCG) and Standard haemolysate Capillary Tube Comparison (SCTC). A
standard haemolysate was prepared by using an un-expired RCC pack. Using the standard
haemolysate, a series of Hb concentrations from 0.1 - 1.0 g/dL were prepared. Among the blood
packs received for the determination of percentage haemolysis, 68 blood packs were used in the
newly designed three alternative methods. The data obtained was used to draw simple linear
regression graphs for all three methods. The results generated by each method was compared
with LHBP.
Results: A strong correlation was observed (p<0.001) between newly developed methods and
LHBP. All three simple linear regression models built had p<0.001 significance with beta
values closer to 1. The SCTC method highly correlated with the LHBP method as per the R2
values of the simple linear regression models built considering gold standard method and the
three alternative methods.
Conclusions: Three newly developed alternative methods can be used to estimate plasma Hb in
RCC with higher degree of accuracy. Of all three methods, SCTC method showed superior
performance
