Why Blood Components?

In modern medicine there is no room for whole blood. Developed countries have switched over to blood components for more than 20 years. Unfortunately in India still 95% of the blood is used as whole blood. By making blood components, all the useful parts of blood can be used. In whole blood, platelets die and clotting factors become ineffective and the patient receives unwanted and ineffective components.

The three components of blood are Packed cells, Plasma and Platelets. The specific requirements of these components are:

• Packed cells (life span of 20-40 days) - In case of anemia, Blood loss due to bleeding.
• Plasma (life span of more than a year) - For clotting disorder.
• Platelets (life span of 5-6 days) - Low platelets count, Clotting disorders, Dengue fever, Burn cases, etc.