Simone Lawson
Whole blood is a mixture of cells, colloids, and crystalloids, consisting of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Whole blood can be used to treat patients in two ways: either transfused into a single patient or separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma, and platelets. The process of separating whole blood into its components is called blood component therapy, and it allows several patients to benefit from one pint of donated whole blood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Red blood cells | 38-48% of whole blood |
| White blood cells | <1% of whole blood |
| Platelets | <1% of whole blood |
| Plasma | 52-62% of whole blood |
| Red blood cell lifespan | 100-120 days |
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What You'll Learn
Red blood cells are prepared by removing plasma
Whole blood is a mixture of cells, colloids, and crystalloids, with about 55% plasma and 45% blood cells. The blood cells include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Red blood cells (RBCs) are prepared from whole blood by removing the plasma (the liquid portion of the blood). They have a shelf life of up to 42 days, depending on the type of anticoagulant used. They can also be treated and frozen for 10 years or more. Leukocyte-reduced RBCs are prepared by removing leukocytes (white blood cells) by filtration shortly after donation and before storage to prevent negative reactions in the recipient.
RBCs are used to treat anemia without substantially increasing the patient’s blood volume. They are particularly beneficial for patients with chronic anemia resulting from kidney failure or gastrointestinal bleeding, acute blood loss due to trauma, and blood disorders like sickle cell disease.
To prepare RBCs, a centrifuge can be used to separate the blood components. The platelet-rich plasma method (PRP) is a simple, manual, and cost-effective approach, although it yields fewer platelets and plasma. Alternatively, the BC method is more efficient but requires automation due to its complexity. Another method involves using an apheresis machine that draws blood from the donor's arm, separates the components, retains the required component, and returns the remainder to the donor.
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Platelets are separated from whole blood using a centrifuge
Whole blood is a mixture of cells, colloids, and crystalloids, composed of several components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Each component has unique medical uses, storage conditions, and shelf lives. For instance, red blood cells can be used to treat anemia or blood loss resulting from trauma, while platelets are used during cancer treatment and surgical procedures to prevent bleeding.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that help stop or prevent bleeding. They are made in the bone marrow and have a shelf life of only 5 days. To separate platelets from whole blood, a centrifuge is used. This machine spins the blood to separate its components. The blood is kept at room temperature and processed within eight hours of donation. During centrifugation, the heavier red blood cells sink to the bottom, while the liquid plasma rises. In between these two layers is a layer of platelets that are collected into a small pouch wrapped around the centrifuge cylinder.
Platelets can be separated from whole blood donations or through a process called apheresis, where blood is drawn from the donor's arm, separated, and the remaining blood is returned to the donor. Using apheresis, one donor can contribute about four to six times as many platelets as a unit of platelets obtained from a whole blood donation. Platelets from multiple donors are then combined to make one transfusable unit. This process is especially useful when a patient requires a large number of platelets, as is often the case during cancer treatment or organ transplants.
The centrifugation process allows for the efficient separation of platelets from whole blood, maximizing the utility of donated blood by providing the specific blood components needed for various medical treatments.
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White blood cells are removed from donated blood before transfusion
Whole blood is a mixture of cells, colloids, and crystalloids, comprising plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The blood that runs through the veins, arteries, and capillaries is known as whole blood, which is about 55% plasma and 45% blood cells.
White blood cells (WBCs) are critical to the body's immune response, containing human leukocyte antigens, which are molecules unique to each person that dictate how the body responds to outside agents. While leukocyte antigens are beneficial to the body, exposure to those that are different from one's own can cause a dangerous reaction. For instance, donor WBCs can attack the recipient's skin, liver, bowel, and marrow after a blood transfusion, causing Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). Other potential risks include febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, HLA alloimmunization, and CMV infections.
Therefore, WBCs are often removed from donated blood before transfusion through a process called leukoreduction or leuko-reduction. Leukoreduction is performed by filtration shortly after donation, reducing the risk of negative reactions in patients. This process is especially important for red blood cell transfusions, as over time, leukocytes can fragment, deteriorate, and release cytokines, triggering adverse reactions in patients.
However, it is important to note that not all donated WBCs are discarded. Granulocytes, a type of WBC, can be used to treat infections that do not respond to antibiotics. These cells are collected through a process called apheresis and must be transfused within 24 hours of donation.
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Plasma is the liquid component of blood
- Coagulation: Plasma contains fibrinogen, a coagulant that plays a major role in blood clotting, along with other procoagulants like thrombin and factor X.
- Defense: Immunoglobulins and antibodies in plasma help defend the body against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
- Maintenance of Osmotic Pressure: Plasma proteins like albumin, synthesized by the liver, maintain colloidal osmotic pressure at around 25 mmHg.
- Nutrition: Plasma transports nutrients like glucose, amino acids, lipids, and vitamins to different parts of the body, acting as a source of fuel for growth and development.
- Regulating Body Temperature: Plasma helps regulate body temperature by carrying heat generated in core body tissues to areas that lose heat more readily, such as the arms, legs, and head.
- Transport: Plasma transports blood cells throughout the body, along with nutrients, waste products, antibodies, clotting proteins, chemical messengers (such as hormones), and proteins that help maintain osmotic pressure.
Plasma is an essential component of blood, and its functions overlap with those of whole blood. It can be separated from whole blood by centrifugation, a process that involves spinning whole blood with an anticoagulant in a centrifuge. This separation allows for specific blood components to be used in blood component therapy, where multiple patients can benefit from a single pint of donated whole blood. Plasma is commonly used in emergency medicine, especially for trauma, burn, and shock patients, as well as those with severe liver disease or multiple clotting factor deficiencies.
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Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell that fights infection
Whole blood is a mixture of cells, colloids, and crystalloids. It can be separated into different components, such as packed red blood cell (PRBC) concentrate, platelet concentrate, fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate. Each component is used for a different purpose, and they have different storage conditions and temperature requirements. Whole blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (small cell fragments that help with blood clotting) suspended in plasma.
Granulocytes are the most common type of white blood cell. They are produced in the bone marrow and only live for a few days. They contain small granules that release enzymes to fight infection and inflammation. There are four types of granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells. Each type has a unique combination of chemicals and enzymes in its granules, giving it a distinct function. Neutrophils, which make up about 40% to 60% of all granulocytes, attack and consume bacteria. Eosinophils are involved in immune responses, particularly allergies and parasitic infections. Basophils primarily combat allergic reactions by releasing histamine and heparin, a blood thinner. Mast cells are different from the other types in that they remain in the tissues rather than circulating in the blood.
Granulocytes play a crucial role in protecting the body from infections and allergens. They are collected through a process called apheresis but must be transfused within 24 hours of donation. This short time frame means that donations are taken on an as-needed basis.
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Frequently asked questions
Whole blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Whole blood is separated into its components during the manufacturing process. This is done using a refrigerated centrifuge, which separates the blood into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
The components of whole blood are used in medicine to treat patients who need specific blood components. For example, red blood cells are used to treat anemia, while platelets are used during cancer treatment and surgical procedures.
