Packed red blood cells

Packed red blood cells
Bag of packed red blood cells.
Clinical data
Other namesStored packed red blood cells, packed cells, red cell concentrate, red cell component
Routes of
administration		IV
ATC code
Identifiers
ChemSpider
  • none

Packed red blood cells, also known as packed cells, are red blood cells that have been separated for blood transfusion.[1] The packed cells are typically used in anemia that is either causing symptoms or when the hemoglobin is less than usually 70–80 g/L (7–8 g/dL).[1][2][3] In adults, one unit brings up hemoglobin levels by about 10 g/L (1 g/dL).[4][5] Repeated transfusions may be required in people receiving cancer chemotherapy or who have hemoglobin disorders.[1] Cross-matching is typically required before the blood is given.[1] It is given by injection into a vein.[6]

Side effects include allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, red blood cell breakdown, infection, volume overload, and lung injury.[1] With current preparation methods, the risk of viral infections such as hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS are less than one in a million.[1] Packed red blood cells are produced from whole blood or by apheresis.[7] They typically last for 3 to 6 weeks.[7]

The widespread use of packed red blood cells began in the 1960s.[8] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[9][10] A number of other versions also exist including whole blood, leukocyte reduced red blood cells, and washed red blood cells.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Connell NT (December 2016). "Transfusion Medicine". Primary Care. 43 (4): 651–659. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2016.07.004. PMID 27866583.
  2. ^ Carson JL, Guyatt G, Heddle NM, Grossman BJ, Cohn CS, Fung MK, et al. (November 2016). "Clinical Practice Guidelines From the AABB: Red Blood Cell Transfusion Thresholds and Storage". JAMA. 316 (19): 2025–2035. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.9185. PMID 27732721.
  3. ^ "Blood transfusion Guidance and guidelines". NICE. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  4. ^ Plumer AL (2007). Plumer's Principles and Practice of Intravenous Therapy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 423. ISBN 9780781759441. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14.
  5. ^ Robinson S, Harris A, Atkinson S, Atterbury C, Bolton-Maggs P, Elliott C, et al. (February 2018). "The administration of blood components: a British Society for Haematology Guideline". Transfusion Medicine. 28 (1): 3–21. doi:10.1111/tme.12481. PMID 29110357.
  6. ^ Linton AD (2015). Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 287. ISBN 9781455776412. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14.
  7. ^ a b Parsons PE, Wiener-Kronish JP (2012). Critical Care Secrets5: Critical Care Secrets. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 385. ISBN 978-0323085007. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14.
  8. ^ Das PC, Smit-Sibinga CT, Halie MR (2012). Supportive therapy in haematology. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 190. ISBN 9781461325772. Archived from the original on 2017-01-10.
  9. ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  10. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.