Packed red blood cells

Features

1. Can give type O Rh-positive pRBCs to a man or woman no longer of child-bearing age
2. Options:
   1. 1. Leukocyte reduced
         1. Eliminates 70-85% of leukocytes
         2. Reduces nonhemolytic febrile reactions
         3. Prevents sensitization in pts who may require bone marrow transplant
         4. Minimizes risk of HIV and CMV infection
      2. Irradiated
         1. Eliminates capacity of T-cells to proliferate (prevents graft-versus-host disease)
         2. Consider in transplant pts, neonates and immunocompromised pts
      3. Washed
         1. Indicated for pts w/ hypersensitivity to plasma (such as IgA deficiency)

Indications

1. Acute hemorrhage or chronic anemia with Hb <6
2. Symptomatic anemia or cardiopulmonary disease AND Hb <10

Dose

1. One unit (250mL) raises hemoglobin by 1 g/dl
   1. Usually transfuse at least 2 units at a time (15mL/kg in peds)
2. Must transfuse no slower than 1 unit/4hr
   1. If require slower transfusion (e.g. risk for volume overload) the pRBC can be split

See Also

• Transfusions

Source

Tintinalli