Lesson 3: Blood Product Components Summary

Blood Product Components

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs)

• Restores oxygen-carrying capacity.
• Indicated if Hgb < 6 g/dL, rarely transfused if Hgb > 10 g/dL.

Whole Blood

• Contains RBCs, WBCs, plasma, and platelet debris.
• Used for blood volume replacement and improving oxygen-carrying capacity, particularly in trauma resuscitation.

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)

• Contains all coagulation factors, fibrinogen, and plasma proteins.
• Indications: coagulopathy (PT or PTT > 1.5 x control), acute warfarin reversal, antithrombin deficiency, massive transfusion, DIC, C1 esterase deficiency.
• Storage: complete infusion within 24 hrs of thawing.

Platelets

• Indicated for thrombocytopenia or qualitative platelet defects.
• Dosage: stable patients without bleeding (< 10,000/μL) and prophylactic thresholds based on procedure risk.
• Do not use filters or heaters during administration; highest risk of bacterial contamination (risk of sepsis).

Cryoprecipitate

• Contains fibrinogen, factor 8, factor 13, and von Willebrand factor (vWF).
• Indicated for hypofibrinogenemia, von Willebrand disease, and hemophilia.
• Dosage: 5 bags pool increases fibrinogen by 50 mg/dL; complete infusion within 6 hrs of thawing.

Key Points

• Decision to transfuse is guided by patient factors.
• Large transfusions can lead to dilutional coagulopathy.