Abstract

1. Objective:We examined the effects of passenger air transport by regular airplanes for air transportation on blood for transfusion.
2. Materials and methods: Irradiated red blood cell (RBC) solutions were transported by regular passenger airplanes which and were static in the cabin during the flight. Blood samples were evaluated visually and biochemically before and after transport. Hemolysis of the transported samples was compared to that of the non-transported ones. The vibration in the airplanes was also measured using a vibration data logger.
3. Results:There was no significant hemolysis of RBCs during airplane transport. The vibration in the airplane was lower than that in automobiles. The temperature in the active transport refrigerator (ATR) room was maintained at 2−6°C. There was no significant hemolysis of RBCs during the two transport routes.
4. Conclusion:Temperature-controlled air transport of blood transport in the ATR 700 airplane maintained a the blood at a good quality that rendered blood it fit for blood transfusion.

Keywords

airplane, active transport refrigerator, red blood cell solution