Red Blood Cells
Red blood cell units are the most requested transfusion product worldwide
Chemical
PRBC are manufactured by removing the majority of plasma from whole blood
Collection
Whole blood is collected
Components separated within 5hrs
(removal of most plasma to produce an average hematocrit of 70%)
Heavy and light spin in centrifuge
Addition of SAGM (saline, adenine, glucose, mannitol)
Leukodepletion
Each unit contains: 200ml RBC, 70ml plasma, 100ml additive ie SAGM
Modifications
PRBC can be phenotyped, washed, CMV-seronegative, frozen, irradiated
Storage
2-6 C in a designated blood fridge that complies with Australian Standards (AS3864)
Shelf life of 42 days
Use
Symptomatic anaemia
Hb < 100% and high risk myocardial ischaemia
Major active bleeding
Mechanism of Action
One unit will raise the haemaglobin concentration 10g/L and Hct 3% (average sized adult)