Blood and Blood Forming Organs (Whole Blood)

What it is and how it works

Whole blood contains red cells, plasma proteins (including coagulation factors, which decline during storage) and, in fresh units, platelets. Transfusion restores oxygen-carrying capacity and circulating volume simultaneously.

Indications

Acute massive haemorrhage with hypovolaemia requiring both red-cell and volume replacement; exchange transfusion in selected settings. In most situations specific components (red cells, plasma, platelets) are preferred.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Dosing is individualised by the treating clinician according to clinical status, haemoglobin and transfusion protocol; ABO and RhD compatibility testing is required before administration.

Contraindications

Not appropriate where only a single component is required, or in patients at risk of circulatory overload who do not need volume replacement; ABO-incompatible transfusion must be avoided.

Warnings and precautions

Risks include acute haemolytic and febrile non-haemolytic reactions, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), transmission of infection and transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease. Administer through a blood-administration set with a filter, with positive patient identification and monitoring of vital signs.

Storage and supply

Store at 2–6 °C in a controlled blood-bank refrigerator; complete transfusion within 4 hours of removal from controlled storage.

Source: reference summary prepared from the EU SmPC/EPAR, BNF and WHO Model Formulary. The approved product information in Iran governs.