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Tareq Abadl: How One Blood Donation Saves Three Lives
Mar 13, 2026, 14:20

Tareq Abadl: How One Blood Donation Saves Three Lives

Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

”Did you know that a single blood bag stored in the blood bank is actually separated into precise components, and each part has its own protocol for processing, storage, transport, and clinical use?

Letโ€™s break it down in full detail:

Red Blood Cells (PRC, LPRC, LDPRC):

  • PRC (Packed Red Cells):
    A concentrated bag of red blood cells only. Stored at 1โ€“6ยฐC, with a shelf life of 35โ€“42 days depending on the preservative solution.
  • LPRC:
    Red cells with most white blood cells removed to reduce complications like fever or antibody formation.
  • LDPRC:
    Almost completely free of white blood cells. Crucial for patients receiving frequent transfusions or those with immune deficiencies.

Clinical Use:
Boosting hemoglobin, compensating for blood loss, and saving patients undergoing major surgeries or internal bleeding.

Plasma (FFP, LDFFP, Cryoprecipitate):

FFP (Fresh Frozen Plasma):
Rapidly frozen at -30ยฐC to preserve clotting factors. Shelf life can reach up to one year.

LDFFP:
Plasma with white blood cells removed to minimize immune reactions.

Cryoprecipitate:
A concentrate rich in clotting factors like fibrinogen and Factor VIII. Vital for hemophilia patients or severe bleeding cases.

Clinical Use:
Replacing clotting factors, treating liver disease, and managing complex bleeding scenarios.

Platelets (PC, LPPC, LDPPC, SDP, LDSDP):

  • PC (Platelet Concentrate):
    Platelets collected from a single donor. Stored at room temperature with continuous agitation to stay active. Shelf life is only 5 days.
  • LPPC / LDPPC:
    Platelets with reduced or removed white blood cells to lower the risk of transfusion reactions.
  • SDP (Single Donor Platelets):
    Platelets collected via apheresis from one donor, providing a higher dose.
  • LDSDP:
    Same as SDP but with white blood cells removed.

Clinical Use:
Supporting cancer or chemotherapy patients, treating severe platelet deficiency, and controlling post-surgical bleeding.

Bonus Insight:

  • Each component has strict storage and transport conditions. If these are broken, the product may lose its effectiveness.
  • One donated blood bag can save three different patients: one needing red cells, one needing plasma, and one needing platelets.”

Tareq Abadl

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