Red blood cell function and blood storage.

Red blood cells are ideal vehicles for delivering oxygen to tissues, but their functions deteriorate during liquid preservation. In this article, we review the role of red blood cells in oxygen delivery and methods to evaluate the effectiveness of red blood cell transfusion. Quantitative estimation of transfusion effects could avoid unnecessary transfusion and reduce the risk of transfusion-associated disorders. We also describe the benefits of transfusion of red blood cells having a higher oxygen-delivering capacity. Phosphoenolpyruvate is a promising component to prepare red blood cells having a higher oxygen-delivering capacity. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.