Assessment of Blood Quality During Cold Storage: Correlating Electrical Impedance, Viscosity, and Cell Counts Using Impedance Spectroscopy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/jsml.vol14.2.4.2026Keywords:
Electrical impedance spectroscopy, whole blood storage, blood viscosity, cell count, impedance analysisAbstract
Cold storage of whole blood is essential to maintain the availability and safety of transfusion products; however, prolonged storage induces progressive biochemical and biophysical changes that compromise cellular integrity and functionality. Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive technique for detecting early microstructural changes in biological systems, yet its relationship with viscosity and hematological parameters during extended blood storage remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigates time-dependent variations in electrical impedance, blood viscosity, and hematological indices in whole blood preserved with acidic citrate dextrose (ACD) for up to 35 days, to evaluate EIS as an early indicator of storage-related degradation. Twenty-five units of whole blood were stored at 1–6°C and analyzed on Days 0, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Electrical impedance over a frequency range of 100 Hz–100 kHz, hematological parameters, and blood viscosity were determined using a digital impedance analyzer, an automated hematology analyzer, and a digital rotational viscometer, respectively. The results revealed a gradual decline in total electrical impedance, with the most pronounced changes occurring within the first seven days, suggesting early membrane injury and ionic redistribution. Significant decreases were observed in leukocyte, platelet, and hemoglobin levels, while red blood cell count and hematocrit remained relatively stable throughout the storage period. Blood viscosity exhibited minimal variation during the first 30 days but showed a slight increase by Day 35, indicating delayed rheological alteration. Importantly, EIS demonstrated greater sensitivity for detecting early degradation than viscosity measurements and conventional hematological parameters. These findings point to the advantages of EIS as a rapid, sensitive monitoring tool for evaluating the quality and stability of stored blood in transfusion practice.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Viranita Qurotul Aini, Chomsin Sulistya Widodo, Ekowati Retnaningtyas, Joel Rey U. Acob, Unggul Pundjung Juswono
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