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Why is Freezing Blood Bad?

Published in Blood Preservation 2 mins read

Freezing blood is generally considered detrimental because the process of freezing and subsequent thawing significantly compromises the integrity and functionality of blood components.

Core Problems with Freezing Blood

The primary issues arise from the physical stress exerted on blood cells and plasma during temperature changes, leading to several negative consequences:

  • Reduced Integrity of Blood Products: The delicate structure of various blood components, including cells and proteins, can be damaged during freezing and thawing cycles. This structural damage leads to a loss of overall quality, making them less suitable for their intended use.
  • Lowered Effectiveness of Transfusion Products: When blood or its components (like red blood cells or plasma) are frozen and then thawed for transfusion, their ability to perform their intended function in the recipient is diminished. This means the therapeutic benefit of the transfusion, such as oxygen delivery or clotting support, is significantly reduced.
  • Limited Reliability of Biochemical Measurements: Freezing and thawing can alter the concentration or state of various biochemical markers within the blood. This makes it difficult to obtain accurate and reliable results from diagnostic tests or research measurements performed on such samples, potentially leading to incorrect diagnoses or research findings.
  • Cellular Damage and Lysis:
    • Stressful Thawing: The process of thawing frozen blood cells, including vital white blood cells and red blood cells, is highly stressful for these delicate structures.
    • Cell Lysis: This stress can directly result in "cell lysis," which is the bursting or disintegration of the cells. When cells lyse, their internal contents are released, rendering them non-functional and potentially harmful if transfused due to the release of intracellular components.

Impact on Blood Components

Blood Component Impact of Freezing & Thawing Consequence
Red Blood Cells Susceptible to lysis during thawing, leading to the release of hemoglobin. Reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, potentially harmful to kidneys.
White Blood Cells Damaged during thawing, impairing their immune function. Less effective in fighting infections if transfused.
Plasma Protein denaturation and loss of crucial clotting factors. Reduced efficacy as a source of vital proteins or clotting support.
Overall Blood Compromised structural integrity and altered biochemical profile. Decreased therapeutic value and unreliable diagnostic results.

Due to these significant challenges, specialized methods and cryoprotectants are often required when blood components must be frozen for long-term storage, primarily to mitigate the severe damage caused by ice crystal formation and osmotic stress during the freezing and thawing processes.