Packed cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma, Cryoprecipitate, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Preparation, Preservation, Uses

Preparation, Preservation, Uses of Packed cells:

Packed cells are also called packed red blood cells. Packed cells are obtained by centrifugation of whole blood and separating most of the plasma from the packed cells. The following steps are followed to prepare packed cells.

• 1. Blood donation: Packed cells are obtained from whole blood donated by a blood donor.

• 2. Centrifugation: Centrifuge the collected whole blood at 4000 rpm and at 4○C. This separates blood components on the basis of their density. Denser red blood cells will settle at the bottom.

• 3. Plasma removal: The top layer of centrifuged blood contains plasma. The bottom layer contains mostly red blood cells. Collect red blood cells. Plasma is used for other purposes such as plasma transfusion. Or to prepare blood products such as clotting factors, albumin, etc.

• 4. Saline wash: Wash red blood cells by saline wash. This helps to remove remaining plasma and other blood components in the red blood cells.

• 5. Resuspension: Add small volumes of additive solution/preservative to the packed red blood cells. Additives provide nutrients to red blood cells and stabilize them during storage. It maintains red blood cell viability and prevents their clumping.

• 6. Segregation and storage: Divide packed red blood cells into individual units for transfusion. Each unit contains about 200 to 250 mL packed cells. These units are placed in specially designed bags or containers. Store them at a temperature of 2 to 6○C. Temperature control minimizes bacterial growth, minimizes the risk of contamination, and increases the viability of packed cells. The expiry period of packed cells is up to 42 days.

• 7. Uses: Packed cells are mainly used in transfusion medicines. They are administered to patients for red blood cell replacement therapy. Red blood cell replacement therapy is required in several medical conditions such as anemia, surgical procedures, severe blood loss, decrease in exercise capacity, decrease in oxygen carrying capacity, etc.

Preparation, Preservation, Uses of Fresh Frozen plasma

Fresh frozen plasma is a blood product that contains a high concentration of clotting factors and other proteins. Its proper preparation, preservation, and storage are required to maintain efficacy and safety. The following steps are followed to prepare, preserve, and use fresh frozen plasma.

• 1. Blood donation: Packed cells are obtained from whole blood donated by a blood donor. Collected whole blood should be used within 6 to 8 hours to obtain plasma.

• 2. Centrifugation: Centrifuge the collected whole blood at 4000 rpm and 4○C. This separates blood components on the basis of their density, especially red blood cells. Centrifuge supernatant liquid at a further high speed to separate platelets from the supernatant. The supernatant liquid of centrifuged blood is plasma containing clotting factors and other proteins.

• 3. Freezing: Collected plasma is rapidly frozen within 6 hours to preserve clotting factors. Freezing is carried out at a temperature below – 30○C.

• 4. Storage: Store fresh frozen plasma at a temperature below -30○C. Maintain storage temperature to ensure the quality and stability of the product. The expiry period of fresh frozen plasma is about 12 months.

• 5. Uses: Fresh frozen plasma is thawed at 30 to 37 degrees C in a water bath. Thawed fresh frozen plasma is stored at 1 to 2○C. Thawing is a process to liquefy frozen fresh plasma. Thawed fresh frozen plasma should be used within 24 hours. Thawed fresh frozen plasma should not be refrozen. It is used in transfusion medicine to manage bleeding disorders and to replace clotting factors in patients suffering from coagulopathy. It is used to control microvascular bleeding, thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and to reverse the warfarin effect.

Preparation, Preservation, Uses of Cryoprecipitate 

Cryoprecipitates are blood products derived from fresh frozen plasma. The following steps are followed to prepare Cryoprecipitate.

• 1. Preparation: Cryoprecipitates are prepared from fresh frozen plasma by a process called cryoprecipitate. Fresh frozen plasma is prepared from whole blood to preserve clotting factors in high concentration. Thaw Frozen fresh plasma is slowly at 1 to 6○C. Thawing forms a white insoluble precipitate. Centrifuge thawed frozen fresh plasm to collect precipitate. This precipitate is cryoprecipitate. Precipitate contains several clotting factors. Such as fibrinogen, clotting factor VII, clotting factor XIII as well as some proteins.

• 2. Preservation: Refreeze the cryoprecipitate for storage. Cryoprecipitate is preserved at below -18○C.This maintains the stability and potency of cryoprecipitate. They can be stored for one year in a deep freezer.

• 3. Uses: It is thawed before administration. It should be transfused within 6 hours after thawing. It is mainly used to treat clotting factor deficiency. Such as haemophilia-A, von Willebrand disease, fibrinogen deficiency, factor XIII deficiency, etc.

Preparation, Preservation, Uses of PRP (Platelet rich plasma)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a blood product from whole blood that contains a high concentration of platelets. The following steps are followed to prepare, preserve, and use Platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

• 1. Preparation: Centrifuge whole blood collected from a donor. Platelets concentrate in plasma during centrifugation. This forms Platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

• 2. Preservation: Preserve Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in a sterile container containing anticoagulant. Store it at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees C. Its life span is only 5 days.

• 3. Uses; Some common uses of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are the following

  • · Orthopedics: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used as an injection to treat musculoskeletal problems such as tendon injury, osteoarthritis, ligament sprains, etc.

  • · Dermatology and Cosmetology: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used in dermatology and cosmetology for skin repair.

  • · Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used in dental and oral surgery such as implant placement and bone grafting.

  • · Chronic wound management: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used in chronic nonhealing wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, etc.

Dr Pramila Singh