| Component | When It Is Used | Approximate Volume (in mL) Infused or Typical Preparation | Storage/Viability | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packed red blood cells | When needed to restore the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood of the patient | 470 | Refrigerated or frozen; may last as long as 42 days | An increase in hemoglobin of 1 g/dL |
| Platelets | In severely thrombocytopenic patients, e.g., <40,000/dL in hemorrhaging patients, or <10,000, in patients who are not yet bleeding | “Five-pack,” i.e., a pooled concentrate from five donors; single-donor apheresis pack | Stored at room temperature (72° F); needs constant agitation; must be discarded after 5 days | An increase in platelet counts of >20,000/dL |
| Fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) | To replace missing coagulation factors | 225 | Must be frozen within 6 hours of donation; useful for up to a year | Improvement in prothrombin time/INR |
| Cryoprecipitate | To supply blood components; esp., fibrinogen, Factors VIII and XIII, fibronectin, and von Willebrand Factor | Prepared from the insoluble proteins that remain when FFP is thawed for use. Ten-donor pack usually used | Can be refrozen and stored after use of FFP; usually useful for 28 days | Increase in fibrinogen level by 2–5 mg |
Abbreviations: dL=deciliter; INR=international normalized ratio; mL=milliliter