Red cell survival
Last updated: Thursday, 25, March, 2004
Rarely used and probably obsolete.
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | In vivo method requires patient to attend at intervals for 1-4 weeks. |
| Method | Patient’s red cells labelled with radioactive isotope (51Cr) and re-injected. Samples collected at regular intervals for up to 4 weeks. |
| Reference Interval | Red cell half-life: 25-35 days |
| Application | Rarely indicated for the documentation of haemolysis. Occasionally used to test survival of transfused red cells in face of major problems in compatibility testing. |
| Interpretation | Reduced red cell survival in the absence of blood loss confirms haemolysis. Surface counting may also be used to indicate the site of red cell destruction (spleen or liver). |
| Reference | ICSH. Br J Haematol 1971; 21: 241-250. |