Blood products

Question 1

Cryoprecipitate

• Indications
• Storage
• Complications

Answer 1

Indications:
Contains concentrated Factor VIII:C, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, Factor XIII and fibronectin

Storage:
Frozen for up to 1 year

Complications:
ABO incompatibility

Question 2

Packed red cells

• Indications
• Storage
• Complications

Answer 2

Indications:
Hb<70g/L (80 for ACS patients. Each unit will increase haemoglobin by approximately 1g/L

Storage:
4 Celsius

Complications:
Risk of viral transmission, hyperkalemia, ABO incompatibility

Question 3

Fresh frozen plasma

• Indications
• Storage
• Complications

Answer 3

Indications:
Replacement of clotting factors

Storage:
Frozen for up to a year

Complications:
ABO incompatibility (reverse rules for plasma)

Question 4

Platelets

• Indications
• Storage
• Complications

Answer 4

Indications: Thrombocytopenia (less than 50 x 10^9/L)
Storage:
Room storage for a few days
Complications:
Bacterial infection