Blood Components

Blood Components – Detailed Study Notes

1. Whole Blood

• Contents:
  • Contains Red Blood Cells (RBCs), plasma, platelets, and clotting factors.
• Volume:
  • Approximately 450-500 mL.
• Storage:
  • Maintained at temperatures between 1–6°C.
• Shelf Life:
  • 21–35 days depending on the type of anticoagulant used.
• Uses:
  • Rarely used; primarily for trauma cases or massive hemorrhage.

2. Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs)

• Description:
  • Concentrated form of RBCs with most plasma removed.
• Function:
  • Increases oxygen-carrying capacity in patients.
• Storage:
  • Kept at 1–6°C.
• Shelf Life:
  • 42 days when stored with an additive solution.
• Indications:
  • Anemia and blood loss situations.
• Expected Increase:
  • Hemoglobin (Hgb) increases by approximately 1 g/dL per unit administered.

3. Leukocyte-Reduced RBCs

• Description:
  • RBCs that have been filtered to remove White Blood Cells (WBCs).
• Benefits:
  • Reduces the risk of febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions.
  • Prevents Cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission.
• Indications:
  • Suitable for chronically transfused patients and immunocompromised individuals.

4. Washed RBCs

• Description:
  • RBCs washed with saline in order to remove plasma proteins.
• Components Removed:
  • Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and potential allergens.
• Indications:
  • Indicated for patients with IgA deficiency or severe allergic reactions.
• Shelf Life:
  • Limited to 24 hours after the washing process.

5. Irradiated RBCs

• Procedure:
  • RBCs are exposed to gamma radiation.
• Purpose:
  • Prevents Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD).
• Indications:
  • Recommended for immunocompromised patients, transplant recipients, and neonates.
• Shelf Life:
  • Shortened to 28 days post-irradiation.

6. Platelets

• Source:
  • Can be derived from whole blood or produced via apheresis technology.
• Storage Conditions:
  • Kept at 20–24°C with agitation.
• Shelf Life:
  • 5–7 days.
• Indications:
  • Treatment for thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction.
• Expected Increase:
  • Apheresis units can increase counts by 30,000–60,000/µL.

7. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)

• Contents:
  • Composed of all clotting factors.
• Collection Process:
  • Must be frozen within 8 hours of collection.
• Storage:
  • Maintained at temperature ≤ -18°C.
• Shelf Life:
  • One year.
• Indications:
  • Used for coagulation factor deficiencies, liver disease, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
• Compatibility:
  • Must be ABO compatible with the recipient.

8. Cryoprecipitate

• Contents:
  • Rich in fibrinogen, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and Factor XIII.
• Preparation:
  • Derived from thawed Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP).
• Storage:
  • Kept at temperature ≤ -18°C.
• Shelf Life:
  • One year.
• Indications:
  • Useful for low fibrinogen levels, DIC, and hemophilia A when no factor is available.

9. Plasma Derivatives

• Types:
  • Albumin:
  • Used for volume expansion.
  • IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin):
  • Utilized for immune deficiencies.
  • Factor Concentrates:
  • Employed in hemophilia treatment.
• Manufacturing:
  • Produced from pooled plasma.

10. Compatibility Overview

• RBCs:
  • Must match both ABO group and Rh factor.
• Plasma:
  • Donor plasma must be compatible with the recipient's RBCs.
• Platelets:
  • ABO group matching is preferred, but not strictly required.
• Cryoprecipitate:
  • No strict ABO requirement.

11. Key Exam Tips

• PRBCs:
  • Primarily serve for oxygen delivery.
• Platelets:
  • Essential for bleeding prevention.
• Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP):
  • Focuses on providing clotting factors.
• Cryoprecipitate:
  • Rich in fibrinogen content.
• Leukoreduction:
  • A method that helps prevent febrile reactions during transfusions.
• Irradiation:
  • A preventive measure against Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD).