Red blood cell transfusion-related eicosanoid profiles in intensive care patients—A prospective, observational feasibility study

Introduction: Eicosanoids are bioactive lipids present in packed red blood cells (PRBCs), and might play a role in transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). We tested the feasibility of analyzing eicosanoid profiles in PRBC supernatant and in plasma samples of postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) patients transfused with one unit of PRBCs. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational feasibility study enrolling postoperative ICU patients: 1) patients treated with acetylsalicylic acid following abdominal aortic surgery (Aorta); 2) patients on immunosuppressants after bilateral lung transplantation (LuTx); and 3) patients undergoing other types of major surgery (Comparison). Abundances of arachidonic acid (AA) and seven pre-defined eicosanoids were assessed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. PRBC supernatant was sampled directly from the unit immediately prior to transfusion. Spearman’s correlations between eicosanoid abundance in PRBCs and storage duration were assessed. Patient plasma was collected at 30-min intervals: Three times each before and after transfusion. To investigate temporal changes in eicosanoid abundances, we fitted linear mixed models. Results: Of 128 patients screened, 21 were included in the final analysis (Aorta n = 4, LuTx n = 8, Comparison n = 9). In total, 21 PRBC and 125 plasma samples were analyzed. Except for 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), all analyzed eicosanoids were detectable in PRBCs, and their abundance positively correlated with storage duration of PRBCs. While 5-HETE, 12-HETE/8-HETE, 15-HETE, 20-HETE, and AA were detectable in virtually all plasma samples, 9-HETE and 11-HETE were detectable in only 57% and 23% of plasma samples, respectively. Conclusions: Recruitment of ICU patients into this transfusion study was challenging but feasible. Eicosanoid abundances increased in PRBC supernatants during storage. In plasma of ICU patients, eicosanoid abundances were ubiquitously detectable and showed limited fluctuations over time prior to transfusion. Taken together, larger clinical studies seem warranted and feasible to further investigate the role of PRBC-derived eicosanoids in TRIM.