Time Dependent Assessment of Morphological Changes: Leukodepleted Packed Red Blood Cells Stored in SAGM

Figure 5

Scanning electron micrographs of erythrocytes showing gradual alteration into echinocytes. (A) Shows a normal erythrocyte on day 0. Cell (B) shows a primary echinocyte and (C) is a well-developed echinocyte. Micrograph (D) shows high magnification of progressive changes in RBC morphology on day 28. Echinocytes are morphologically altered red blood cells that appear to have abundant fine uniform spikes throughout the cell membrane.