Abstract

1. Objective:This study aimed to examine the effects of transport using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on blood samples for cross-matching tests in the transfusion of red blood cell solution.
2. Materialsand methods: Two bags of red blood cell (RBC) solution (blood type, A, RBC#1 and #2; 280 mL per bag) were obtained from the Japan Red Cross Society. The RBC solution in each bag was further separated into three bags (93 mL per bag). The UAV group consisted of RBC solution with a segment tube containing the whole blood in a temperature controlled cooler box transported using an UAV. The control group consisted of RBC solution with a segment tube containing the whole blood in an in-house refrigerator that was not transported. Samples from the RBC solution were collected on day 10 (2 days before transport) and day 13 (day after transport), and lactate dehydrogenase (LD), potassium, blood sugar, and lactic acid levels were measured. After transport, cross-matching tests were performed using whole blood in the segment tubes and patient`s blood (blood type, type A).
3. Results:We compared the biochemistry between the UAV and control group and found no significant differences, except for LD level. Although the LD level in the UAV group slightly increased compared with that in the control group, the whole blood containing the segment tubes was not hemolyzed, and cross-matching tests were performed.
4. Conclusion:We could fly and transport an RBC solution with segment tubes using an UAV, and this mode of transport did not affect the cross-matching tests, despite mild hemolysis in the RBC solutions.

Keywords

disaster, active transport refrigerator, red blood cell solution