Transfusions With Older Blood Lowers Chance of Survival

Washington (dbTechno) - According to a new study of heart surgery patients, those who received transfusions of blood that was more than two weeks old had a much lower rate of survival, compared to those who received blood that was more fresh. The older the blood, the higher the chance of death, or other health complications.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows blood to be stored for up to six weeks, but according to researchers, it may pose a health risk after just two.

The research was done by the Cleveland Clinic, looking at the records of 6,000 patients who all had heart valve replacement, or heart bypass surgery.

All of these procedures were done from 1998 to 2006.

The study found that patients who were given blood that was two-weeks old or more had a far lower rate or survival, and a much higher risk of developing complications.

This was compared directly to those who received a transfusion with much fresher blood.

The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.