Question

What is blood component therapy? Describe via a flow chart how different blood components are obtained from whole blood.

Hint:

Centrifugation is key to separating blood into its components for targeted therapy, allowing for more efficient and specific treatment.

Answer 1

Step 1: Blood Component Therapy Definition.
Blood component therapy refers to the practice of separating whole blood into its components for targeted treatment. This allows healthcare providers to administer only the necessary components for specific medical conditions, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of transfusion-related complications.

Step 2: Flow Chart for Obtaining Blood Components.
\[ \text{Whole Blood Collection} \longrightarrow \text{Centrifugation} \longrightarrow \text{Separation into Components} \] - Red Blood Cells (RBCs): These are separated by removing the plasma and platelets. RBCs are transfused for patients with anemia or blood loss.
- Platelets: After centrifugation, platelets are isolated from the plasma and used for patients with thrombocytopenia or bleeding disorders.
- Plasma: The supernatant after centrifugation contains plasma, which is rich in clotting factors and can be transfused for conditions such as bleeding or clotting disorders.
- Cryoprecipitate: The remaining component after plasma is frozen and thawed contains fibrinogen, factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor. It is used for patients with bleeding disorders.