How long can deglycerolized red blood cells maintain their shelf-life?

Deglycerolized red blood cells can maintain their shelf-life for up to 10 years when stored properly. This extended shelf-life is due to the preservation methods employed post-deglycerolization, which is a process that removes glycerol from red blood cells to ensure safe transfusion while enhancing viability. When these cells are properly frozen and stored at optimal temperatures, they can remain functional and viable for significantly long periods, allowing for more flexible inventory management and availability in clinical settings.

In the context of blood banking and transfusion medicine, understanding the storage capabilities is critical for effective patient care, particularly in circumstances where matching blood types or urgent transfusion needs arise. This is why it is important for medical personnel to be knowledgeable about blood storage standards and practices.