Blood Irradiation Indicators Protect from Graft Disease

Improved irradiation indicators can verify quickly and clearly that blood components have been irradiated to protect patients from contracting transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD).

The Rad-Sure is a complex, multilayered laminate device that is affixed to transfusion blood bags. It features a gamma ray or X-ray sensitive indicator that displays a clear "NOT IRRADIATED" message until exposed to the proper level of radiation. Once exposed, the "NOT" becomes obscured and the visual message reads, "IRRADIATED," providing quick, positive, visual verification. The device is easy to use, with the batch number and expiry date printed on every box, as well as on every indicator. A temperature history indicator is included in every box.


Irradiation of red blood cells and whole blood results in reduced post transfusion red cell recovery, and increases the rate of efflux of intracellular potassium. It has no clinically significant effect on red cell pH, glucose, 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (DPG) levels or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Packs irradiated within 14 days of collection expire 28 days after collection, and packs irradiated more than 14 days after collection expire either 5 days after irradiation or at the original expiry date of the pack, whichever comes first.

In patients where hyperkalaemia is a concern, the red cells should be transfused within 24 hours of irradiation. Additionally, the irradiation of platelets has not been shown to cause any clinically significant change in platelet function. The Rad-Sure device is a product of Ashland (Covington, KY, USA) and is available for both gamma and X-ray irradiation sources.

TA-GVHD is a rare, but potentially fatal, complication associated with blood transfusions in which the blood donor's lymphocytes engraft in the recipient. Certain categories of patients, such as those with solid tumors, acquired T-cell deficiencies and bone marrow transplant recipients, are more prone to contracting the disease. Proper irradiation of the blood before transfusion destroys the donor lymphocytes and prevents the immunoreaction that leads to TA-GVHD.

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