A RAPID SIMPLE IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF Tc^99m RED BLOOD CELLS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF RED CELL VOLUME

An improved method of labeling red blood cells with Tc^99m has been developed. The labeling technique uses a citrate anticoagulant with a strong buffering capacity. This allows the stannous chloride reducing agent to be prepared as a stock solution. In comparison to other related methods, larger volumes of the reducing material and pertechnetate are used which results in better mixing with no decrease in yield Only 2 centrifugation steps are required to obtain approximately 40 per cent yield with whole blood; the entire procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

Red blood cell volumes were determined simultaneously in 35 patients using Tc^99m and Cr⁵¹. The difference between individual measurements was not clinically or statistically significant.

This procedure is ideal for pediatric patients because of the low radiation dose of Tc^99m. It is also advantageous because of the good counting statistics and rapid physical decay of the Tc^99m isotope, which allows for small blood samples and repeated studies. Likewise, accurate and precise blood volume in small animals, e.g., rat, guinea pig, rabbit, etc., can be conveniently accomplished.

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