Medication Summary
Correction of anemia often requires blood and/or blood products. The therapy is used to restore the hemodynamics of the vascular system and replace lost red blood cells. Major morbidities of anemia can be prevented by providing timely transfusion to restore hemoglobin to safe levels.
Blood Product Derivatives
Class Summary
Some agents in this category are used as needed to treat anemia.
Packed red blood cells
Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) are used preferentially to whole blood because they limit volume, immune, and storage complications. PRBCs have 80% less plasma, are less immunogenic, and can be stored for about 40 days (vs 35 d for whole blood). PRBCs are obtained after centrifugation of whole blood. Leukocyte-poor PRBCs are used in patients who are transplantation candidates/recipients or in those with prior febrile transfusion reactions. Washed or frozen PRBCs are used in individuals with hypersensitivity transfusion reactions.
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This blood film at 1000X magnification demonstrates a leukoerythroblastic blood picture with the presence of precursor cells of the myeloid and erythroid lineage. In addition, anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and polychromasia can be seen. Courtesy of Ulrich Woermann, MD, Division of Instructional Media, Institute for Medical Education, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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This bone marrow film at 400X magnification demonstrates carcinoma metastasis. Bone marrow cells are completely replaced by large carcinoma cells with clear nucleoli. Courtesy of Ulrich Woermann, MD, Division of Instructional Media, Institute for Medical Education, University of Bern, Switzerland.
