Washing of red cells removes unwanted plasma proteins, including antibodies. There will be some loss of red cells.
When should I use this modification?
This is given to patients who require red cells with a low protein supernatant.
The following groups of patients should receive washed components:
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patients with reactions to transfused plasma proteins (eg, IgA deficiency)
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patients with severe allergic reactions of unknown cause
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patients with severe reactions despite leucocyte depletion
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patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria who experience reactions despite group-specific leucocyte depleted fresh red cells
- rarely, patients with T-activation when units from donors with low anti-T titres are not available or severe autoimmune haemolytic anaemia where excess complement may worsen destruction.