Prathama Blood Center

Whole Blood: Whole blood is a living tissue that circulates through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries carrying nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the body's tissues. Whole blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in a fluid called plasma. Red Blood Cells Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a complex iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and gives blood its red color. There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood, and, for every 600 red blood cells, there are about 40 platelets and one white cell.

Red Blood Cells: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a complex iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and gives blood its red color. There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood, and, for every 600 red blood cells, there are about 40 platelets and one white cell.

White Blood Cells: White blood cells are responsible for protecting the body from invasion by foreign substances such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The majority of white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, where they outnumber red blood cells by two to one.

Platelets: Platelets (or thrombocytes) are very small cellular components of blood that help the clotting process by sticking to the lining of blood vessels. Platelets are stored at 68° to 75° Fahrenheit (room temperature) and require continuous gentle agitation. They can be stored at the Blood center for up to five days. Platelet transfusions are indicated for patients with bleeding due to thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction or some combination of the two conditions.

Plasma: Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood — a protein-salt solution in which red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended. Plasma, which is 90 percent water, constitutes about 55 percent of blood volume. Plasma serves a variety of functions, from maintaining a satisfactory blood pressure and volume to supplying critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity.

Aphaeresis Platelets: Aphaeresis Platelets are obtained from one donor with the use of an aphaeresis machine. Blood is drawn from a donor’s arm into a self-contained, single use Blood tubing/collection set which has been inserted into the aphaeresis machine. Blood does not come into contact with the aphaeresis machine itself. Anticoagulant is added to the Blood as it is drawn from the donor. The platelets are separated from the red cells, leukocytes and most of the plasma by centrifugation. The red cells, leukocytes and plasma are returned to the donor through his or her other arm, and the platelets are retained in a collection bag for later transfusion to a patient. The procedure takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

Pediatric RBC Units: Pediatric Red Blood cell units are prepared by separating a CPD anticoagulant packed red Blood cell unit into four bags. Each pedi-pack contains approximately 45 to 50 ml of red Blood cells and approximately 15 ml of plasma. This processing minimizes wasting Blood when only small volume transfusion is required. In addition, it may reduce the recipient's donor exposure because four units for transfusion are available from one unit of donated Blood.

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP): Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is separated and frozen within 8 hours of whole blood collection. It contains plasma proteins and all coagulation factors. FFP is used mainly to provide replacement coagulation factors when concentrate is not available or appropriate. FFP provides normal levels of all clotting factors and is used for patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), for antithrombin III deficiency, for immediate hemostasis and reversal of the warfarin effect, and for massive transfusion with coagulopathy.

Cryoprecipitated: Cryoprecipitated AHF is the portion of plasma that is rich in certain clotting factors, including Factor VIII, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and Factor XIII. It is used to prevent or control bleeding in individuals with hemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease, which are common, inherited major coagulation abnormalities. Cryoprecipitate is indicated for bleeding or imminent invasive procedures for patients with significant hypofibrinogenemia (less than 100 mg/dl). Whole blood is a living tissue that circulates through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries carrying nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the body's tissues. Whole blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in a fluid called plasma. Red Blood Cells Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a complex iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and gives blood its red color. There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood, and, for every 600 red blood cells, there are about 40 platelets and one white cell.