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Samwel Mikaye Explains Blood Components and Their Clinical Use
Dr. S.0 MIKAYE/LinkedIn
Nov 10, 2025, 01:54

Samwel Mikaye Explains Blood Components and Their Clinical Use

Samwel Mikaye, CEO of SaMik Medical Center, posted on LinkedIn:

”BLOOD COMPONENTS

Blood can be separated into individual components to allow targeted therapy, reduce volume overload, and preserve valuable resources.

1. Whole Blood
β€’ Composition: RBCs, plasma, platelets, clotting factors.
β€’ Use: Rarely used today; mainly in massive hemorrhage where both RBCs and plasma are needed.
β€’ Volume: ~450–500 mL per unit.

2. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) / Packed Red Cells
β€’ Composition: Concentrated RBCs, most plasma removed.
β€’ Indications:
β€’ Symptomatic anemia
β€’ Acute blood loss
β€’ Hemoglobin <7–8 g/dL in stable patients
β€’ Goal: Improve oxygen-carrying capacity.
β€’ Volume: ~250–300 mL per unit.
β€’ Key point: One unit increases Hb by ~1 g/dL in adults.

 

3. Platelet Concentrates
β€’ Composition: Platelets, some plasma.
β€’ Indications:
β€’ Thrombocytopenia (<10,000/Β΅L without bleeding)
β€’ Active bleeding with low platelets
β€’ Pre-surgery prophylaxis if platelets <50,000/Β΅L
β€’ Forms: Random donor platelets, apheresis platelets.
β€’ Volume: ~50 mL per random donor unit; ~200–300 mL per apheresis unit.

 

4. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
β€’ Composition: All clotting factors, plasma proteins.
β€’ Indications:
β€’ Coagulation factor deficiencies (e.g., liver disease, DIC)
β€’ Massive transfusion protocols
β€’ Warfarin reversal (if urgent)
β€’ Volume: 200–250 mL per unit
β€’ Storage: Frozen; thaw before use.

5. Cryoprecipitate
β€’ Composition: Concentrated clotting factors (Factor VIII, fibrinogen, vWF, Factor XIII).
β€’ Indications:
β€’ Hypofibrinogenemia (<100 mg/dL)
β€’ Hemophilia A (if factor concentrates unavailable)
β€’ Massive bleeding with low fibrinogen
β€’ Volume: ~10–20 mL per unit

6. Granulocyte/White Cell Concentrates
β€’ Composition: Concentrated WBCs
β€’ Indications: Rare; for severe neutropenia with infection unresponsive to antibiotics.
β€’ Key point: Limited availability, short shelf-life.

General Principles
β€’ Cross-matching: Required for RBCs and whole blood.
β€’ Compatibility:
β€’ O-negative β†’ universal donor for RBCs.
β€’ AB plasma β†’ universal donor plasma.
β€’ Storage:
β€’ RBCs: 1–6Β°C, up to 35–42 days depending on anticoagulant.
β€’ Platelets: 20–24Β°C, constant agitation, 5 days.
β€’ FFP/Cryoprecipitate: βˆ’18Β°C or lower, up to 1 year.

Key Takeaways
1. Blood components allow targeted therapy instead of whole blood.
2. Correct selection depends on deficient element: RBCs β†’ anemia, platelets β†’ thrombocytopenia, plasma β†’ clotting factors.
3. Always monitor patient response and transfusion reactions.”

Blood Components

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