Narrative Review of Strategies for Blood Product Shelf-Life Extension

This project reviewed various published methods to extend the shelf-life durations of whole blood and packed red blood cells and their possible effectiveness and implementations within an austere environment setting to not only increase blood bank capabilities but also reduce waste, providing a strategic advantage during anticipated future conflicts with higher estimated demands for casualties and a corresponding increase in the quantity of transfusions. Examined methods included usage of anticoagulants, additive solutions, deoxygenated/anaerobic storage, cryopreservation, and variable temperature cycling/thermal holding to understand if their benefits would be applicable to the challenges often experienced in a resource limited setting. Several studies revealed promising combinations of methods/techniques that would allow for shelf-life extension during the storage of blood products, introducing new possibilities to enhance the logistical infrastructure for supporting an extended blood supply duration if needed.