Transfusion Science III. Blood Components Pt.2

Question 1

What is apheresis?

Answer 1

Separation and filtration of whole blood into plasma and platelets without red blood cells

Question 2

What does the buffy coat layer after centrifugation consist of?

Answer 2

White blood cells and platelets

Question 3

What solution is the buffy coat put in?

Answer 3

Platelet Additive Solution (PAS)

Question 4

What does Platelet Additive Solution contain?

Answer 4

Salts
Acetate
Phosphate
Glucose
Bicarbonate

Question 5

Describe the process of obtaining platelets

Answer 5

1. Whole blood rested for 4 hours
2. Centrifugation to separate blood components
3. 4 buffy coats of the same ABO group is pooled into a bag through leucodepletion
4. Put in Platelet Additive Solution

Question 6

At what temperature are platelets stored in?

Answer 6

22 degrees plus or minus 2 with constant movement

Question 7

What is the duration of platelet storage?

Answer 7

7 days

Question 8

Why must platelets be monitored?

Answer 8

Platelets can be at risk of bacterial growth at storage temperature

Question 9

In what situations are platelets given?

Answer 9

1. replacement of platelets due to blood loss
2. replacement of platelets due to loss through disease or chemotherapy
3. Replacement of dysfunctional platelets prior to surgery

Question 10

What are the three components that fractionated proteins can be separated into?

Answer 10

1. Immunoglobulin
2. Coagulation factors
3. albumin

Question 11

What are fractionated products/proteins?

Answer 11

High purity products containing one plasma protein or a group of proteins

Question 12

Describe the principle of fractionation

Answer 12

Separation of plasma into different plasma proteins through different conditions of pH, temperature, ionic strength, and ethanol.

Question 13

What are the three uses of immunoglobulins

Answer 13

1. Provide passive immunity after disease exposure
   a. Antibodies for Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Varicella zoster
2. Provide passitive IgG for immunity or treatment of autoimmune diseases
   a. Intravenous application (intragam P)
   b. Subcutaneous application (Evogam)
3. Prevent women from producing anti-D
   a. RhD immunoglobulin

Question 14

What are the clinical indications of Intragam P and Evogam?

Answer 14

1. Immuno deficiencies
   a. Severe combined immunodeficiency
   b. Bone marrow in transplant patients
2. Autoimmune conditions
   a. Guillaine Barre syndrome
   b. Myasthenia Gravis

Question 15

What components of coagulation factors are used to treat congenital bleeding disorders?

Answer 15

1. Factor VIII for haemophilia A
2. Factor I for congenital fibrinogen deficiency
3. Factors II, IX, X for acquired deficiency of factors II, IX, X

Question 16

What are the two main types of albumin obtained from fractionated plasma?

Answer 16

1. Albumex 4 (4% of albumin)
2. Albumex 20 (20% of albumin)

Question 17

What is Albumex 4 used for?

Answer 17

1. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
2. Therapeutic plasma exchange

Question 18

What is Albumex 20 used for?

Answer 18

1. Burns
2. Haemodialysis
3. Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Question 19

Differences between FRACTIONATED PRODUCTS and UNFRACTIONATED COMPONENTS for treatment of congenital bleeding disorders.

Answer 19

1. Fractionated Products
   a. Many donors pooled
   b. Viral inactivation step
   c. Low risk of disease transmission
   d. Can be injected at home
2. Unfractionated Components
   a. One to three donations
   b. No viral inactivation step
   c. High risk of disease transmission
   d. Administered in hospital