Blood Components & Compatibility

•    Red blood cells (RBCs):

o    Must be ABO and Rh matched

•    Platelets:

o    ABO-compatible preferred (improves response)

o    Rh-negative preferred if Rh-negative recipient, especially with repeated transfusions

•    Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP):

o    ABO-compatible (no need for Rh match)

•    Cryoprecipitate:

o    For low fibrinogen; ABO-compatible if possible

•    Irradiated blood products:

o    Used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)

o    Indications: bone marrow transplant (BMT), 

        Hodgkin lymphoma, congenital immunodeficiency, purine analogue therapy (e.g. fludarabine)

Indications for Transfusion

•    RBCs:

o    Hb <70 g/L in stable patients

o    Hb <80–90 g/L if symptomatic or acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

•    Platelets:

o    <10 × 10⁹/L: prophylactic in stable patients

o    <50 × 10⁹/L: prior to procedures or active bleeding

•    FFP:

o    Bleeding + coagulopathy, or pre-procedure if INR >1.5–2

•    Cryoprecipitate:

o    Fibrinogen <1.5 g/L in bleeding patients