A substance such as plasma taken out of blood and used in the treatment of various medical conditions.
The forms in which blood donations are stored before a transfusion. Blood products include whole blood and various blood components, each of which is used for different purposes.
Donated blood undergoes a process of separation into its various components, namely red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. Each component possesses a specific lifespan and serves a distinct purpose in blood transfusion. Packed red cells, which are obtained by removing most of the plasma, are utilized in the treatment of individuals with certain types of chronic anemia and babies suffering from haemolytic disease of the newborn. Washed red cells, in which white blood cells and/or plasma proteins are eliminated, are employed when repeated transfusions are necessary, as they carry a lower risk of developing allergies to any of the blood components.
Platelet transfusions are administered to individuals with blood-clotting disorders to address their condition. For patients suffering from life-threatening infections, treatment may involve the use of granulocytes, a specific type of white blood cell. Fresh frozen plasma is employed to correct various bleeding disorders due to its rich content of clotting factors. In cases of shock resulting from severe blood loss, plasma substitutes can be utilized as a temporary measure until sufficient compatible whole blood becomes available. Purified albumin preparations find application in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome and chronic liver disease.
Concentrated forms of blood clotting factors VIII and IX are utilized in the treatment of haemophilia and Christmas disease. These conditions involve deficiencies in these specific clotting factors. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, extracted from blood plasma, can be administered via injection to offer protection to individuals who are unable to produce their own antibodies or have already been exposed to an infectious agent. Immunoglobulins may also be administered in large doses to provide short-term protection against hepatitis A and to treat certain autoimmune disorders.