Potassium load from blood transfusion in dialysis patients.

When a transfusion of packed red blood cells is given, the net potassium load results from lysis of some cells and absorption of potassium by surviving cells. Potassium load was calculated which results from administration of 1 unit (200 cc.) of packed RBC and also that resulting from administration of sufficient packed cells to yield 200 cc. of surviving RBC. Although the acute load of potassium due to cell lysis increases as blood is stored for longer periods, the absorption of potassium by surviving cells also increases. Thus, net potassium load may be least if blood is stored for about one week. Hence the acute potassium load and the net potassium burden a patient receives from a transfusion can be considered when transfusion therapy is selected.