A10. Blood transfusion

Page created on September 7, 2021. Last updated on December 18, 2024 at 16:58

Most frequently used blood products:

  • Packed RBCs – for severe haemorrhage or anaemia. Usually indicated if Hb is < 9 g/dL acutely or < 7 g/dL chronically
    • Washed and irradiated RBCs exist to reduce the risk for allergic reaction or transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease
  • Fresh frozen plasma – for replacement of clotting factors, in warfarin overdose, DIC, liver failure, etc.
  • Platelet concentrates – for severe thrombocytopaenia
  • Human albumin – for severe hypoproteinaemia

I don’t know what else to include here. Lee has written about blood typing and complications of blood transfusion as well, which you can read more about here.