Endurance Capacity Changes Following Induced Erythrocythemia - The Utility of Frozen Blood Component Technology

摘要

This report contains a literature survey investigating the enhancement of endurance capacity by induction of erythrocythemia through red blood cell (RBC) infusion and the possible importance of frozen RBC storage technology in effective erythrocythemia induction. The delivery of oxygen to the tissues appears to be the limiting factor for aerobic capacity in exercise employing most of the body muscle mass. Therefore, improvement of oxygen delivery might be expected to increase endurance. Infusion of RBCs appears to be an effective means of increasing oxygen delivery and endurance capacity. Such infusions increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and promote increases in the cardiac output, which increase oxygen delivery. However, it appears that a critical volume of RBCs must be infused so that the blood volume, hence cardiac output, remains elevated after the body's plasma volume adjustments take place. Use of frozen-stored RBCs can increase the safety and effectiveness of induced erythrocythemia by allowing effective use of autologous transfusions with adequate recovery period following blood withdrawal. Development of a program of research to further explore the metabolic and hemodynamic consequences of induced erythrocythemia and the adaptation of this technique to the military setting is recommended. (Author)