Rejuvesol® Washed RBC in Sickle Cell Patients Requiring Frequent Transfusions

Blood transfusion is part of the standard care for individuals that have sickle cell disease. Often these transfusions become needed quite frequently. The purpose of the red blood cells in the blood is to deliver oxygen to the organs and tissues of the body. People with sickle cell disease have abnormal red blood cells. Stored blood undergoes some changes that may make it less effective in achieving this goal. The purpose of this study is to see if restoring important energy molecules (ATP and 2,3,DPG) in stored red blood cells before they are transfused, with a rejuvenating solution (Rejuvesol), offers any advantages to individuals over standard blood transfusion. This is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved process that is described by the American Association of Blood Banks for prolonging blood storage but not used for everyday transfusions. The investigators want to use this process to improve blood transfused to individuals who need frequent transfusions. Potential advantages include better delivery of oxygen by the transfused red blood cells and easier release of oxygen to the tissues. In addition the study will assess how using the rejuvenated blood affects the interval between transfusions. This means possibly that transfusions may not be needed as often. Although Rejuvesol has been previously approved by the FDA, it is not routinely used to prepare standard blood transfusions to individuals who have sickle cell disease. Use of Rejuvesol in this study is considered investigational.