Whole blood and blood component transfusion

In medicine, whole blood transfusion and blood component transfusion is the "transfer of blood components (or whole blood) such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and plasma from a donor to a recipient or back to the donor. Blood components are not available in many countries, and in disaster medicine.

Within the framework of fluid resuscitation, replacing plasma alone, or giving whole blood, is a form of colloid replacement.

Collection and processing

This process differs from the procedures undertaken in plasmapheresis and types of cytapheresis; (plateletpheresis and leukapheresis) where, following the removal of plasma or the specific cell components, the remainder is transfused back to the donor."

Classification

• Erythrocyte transfusion
• Leukocyte transfusion
• Platelet transfusion