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Preserved red blood cells (i.e., erythrocytes) ready for transfusion to patients according to the recipient blood type. Red blood cells (RBCs) are taken from donors\' blood that is not be intended for pathology tests. After separation from plasma and the addition of appropriate solutions (usually combinations of adenine, saline, glucose, and mannitol) the transfusable red cells are preserved and stored, frequently under refrigeration (optimum temperature is two to six degrees Celsius/35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) up to 42 days according to the anticoagulant used. RBCs can be also stored in frozen conditions for longer periods (up to five years or more) usually using additives such as glycerol or dimethyl sulphoxide. Frozen preservation is usually performed in rare types of RBCs. Preserved RBCs are usually stored in blood banks and mainly used after trauma, in surgical procedures, and to treat blood disorders (e.g., anemia, sickle cell).
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