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BLOOD AND BLOOD FORMING ORGANS › BLOOD SUBSTITUTES AND PERFUSION SOLUTIONS › BLOOD AND RELATED PRODUCTS › Other blood products
erythrocytes
B05AX01
Forms & Strengths
- Red Blood Cells (RBCs): 250-350 mL per unit
- RBCs Leukocytes Reduced: 200-350 mL per unit
- RBCs Adenine Saline Added (AS-1, AS-3, AS-5): 300-400 mL per unit
- RBCs Deglycerolized (Frozen/Deglycerolized): ~200-400 mL per unit
Adult Dosing
- Acute hemorrhage/trauma: 1-4 units IV, guided by clinical response and vital signs
- Chronic anemia/symptomatic anemia: 1-2 units IV over 2-4 hours per unit
- Target hemoglobin: Generally 7-8 g/dL in stable hospitalized patients (higher in acute coronary syndrome)
Pediatric Dosing
- Neonates/Infants: 10-20 mL/kg IV infused over 2-4 hours
- Children (>1 year): 10-15 mL/kg IV infused over 2-4 hours to increase Hb by ~2.5-3.5 g/dL per 10 mL/kg
Indications
- Restoration and maintenance of oxygen-carrying capacity in acute or chronic anemia
- Acute blood loss/hemorrhage (trauma, surgery)
- Symptomatic chronic anemia unresponsive to medical therapy
Mechanism of Action
- Exogenous delivery of functional erythrocytes containing hemoglobin
- Improves tissue oxygenation and corrects anemia by binding oxygen in the lungs and releasing it in peripheral tissues
Contraindications
- Known severe hypersensitivity to blood components
- Polycythemia vera (unless undergoing therapeutic phlebotomy)
- Situations where blood transfusion is religiously or ethically refused by the patient
Adverse Reactions
- Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Allergic reactions, urticaria, anaphylaxis
- Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)
- Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
- Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD)
- Transfusion-transmitted infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic)
- Hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia (massive transfusion)
Drug Interactions
- Lactated Ringer's solution or hypotonic solutions: Do not mix in the same IV line (risk of clotting or hemolysis)
- Dextrose 5% in water (D5W): Can cause hemolysis; avoid co-infusion
- Certain medications added directly to blood products: Prohibited due to risk of incompatibility or hemolysis
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use