Component Types
Red Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells, Leukocytes Reduced, is a red cell concentrate manufactured from approximately 480 ml of donor whole blood collected in 70 ml of citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) anticoagulant. The red blood cells are separated by centrifugation and leukocyte reduced by filtration. The final red blood cell component contains a maximum of 29 ml of plasma from the original whole blood donation, and is suspended in 110 ml of saline adenine glucose manitol (SAGM) additive solution.
Platelets
Platelets can be collected by two collection methods:
The manufacturing of Pooled platelet psoralen-treated (PPPT) begins with the collection of whole blood into buffy coat collection sets from donors in a Canadian Blood Services donor centre. Whole blood units are centrifuged to separate the plasma, buffy coat (containing leukocytes and platelets) and red blood cell fractions. The red cell and plasma layers are extracted out of the collection bag leaving behind the buffy coat layer with a small amount of plasma and red blood cells (also referred to as the B1 method as described for whole blood buffy coat collections). Seven buffy coats—one from each donor unit— are then pooled together and platelet additive solution (PAS-E) is added. The buffy coat pool is then centrifuged, and the platelet-rich supernatant (comprised of residual plasma and PAS-E) is extracted from the red blood cells retained in the buffy coat through a platelet-sparing leukoreduction filter, to produce a double dose pooled platelet.
Apheresis Platelets is a platelet concentrate collected into approximately 50 ml of anticoagulant citrate dextrose formula A (ACD-A) using automated apheresis techniques, which includes leukoreduction. This method is used predominately for collection of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) or human platelet antigen (HPA) matched platelets to meet specific patient requirements.
Plasma
Plasma is the protein rich liquid portion of blood, and there are a few different types. Plasma components are stored frozen to preserve levels of certain coagulation proteins that are not stable when stored for prolonged periods at 1-6oC.
Frozen plasma is manufactured from whole blood collected in approximately 70 ml of CPD anticoagulant, centrifuged and then separated from the red blood cells and buffy coat. The plasma is frozen within 24 hours of collection.
Apheresis fresh frozen plasma is collected into 70-90 ml of either trisodium citrate anticoagulant or anticoagulant citrate dextrose formula A (ACD-A) using automated apheresis techniques. The plasma is frozen within eight hours of collection.
Cryosupernatant plasma is manufactured from slowly thawed frozen plasma that is centrifuged to separate the plasma from the insoluble proteins. The supernatant plasma is removed and refrozen.
Cryoprecipitate is manufactured from slowly thawed frozen plasma that is centrifuged to separate the insoluble proteins from the plasma. The insoluble protein portion is refrozen in approximately 5 ml of the plasma.
For further details on any of our blood components, see our Circular of Information.
Blood Component Costs
Contact your local Hospital Liaison Specialist for a copy of our most recent blood component costs.