12/11/2025
A big question? What happens to the transfused RBCs:
Immediately after transfusion, most of the transfused RBCs enter the circulation and start functioning but unfortunately of not all of them survive some are aged and with destroyed membranes because of storage .
Roughly 70 % of transfused RBCs remains viable for 24 hours
30 % removed by the spleen and the liver macrophages because they are old ,rigid and damaged membranes.
Lately within few days ,the surviving RBCs begin to recover their metabolism and oxygen delivery to the tissue improved
Transfused RBCs not live long as native RBCs ( 120 days ) that is because they are already stored ,and partially aged before transfusion
Average survival is 40 - 60 days depending upon :
Pt conditions: Sepsis, infection, autoimmune diseases ,age of blood unit
So finally raising Hemoglobin level will be temporarily only for weeks not months ,but if your patients still bleeding, elevated Hemoglobin will remain for hours that either because losses or consumption
Old blood destroyed early after transfusion
