This component is obtained by removing most of the plasma after centrifuging whole blood collected into anticoagulant.
Red cells may be resuspended in other additives to prolong storage and are filtered to remove most leucocytes.
A red cell unit is divided into four packs of equal volume to create Red cells Paediatric Leucocyte Depleted. This is to reduce donor exposure for small paediatric transfusions and to minimise product wastage.
Washed leucocyte depleted red cells are manufactured using a manual technique that triple washes leucodepleted red cells (<14 days old) with 0.9% sterile isotonic saline to remove the majority of plasma proteins, antibodies and electrolytes.
The washed red cells are then resuspended in additive solution to prolong their shelf life.
Red cells must be stored at 2 to 6 ºC and have a variable shelf life.
Typical unit content and specifications
Information is based on the typical unit content (mean ± 1 SD) from Blood Service data (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 inclusive) and acceptable specification limits (in parentheses).
Availability
Leucodepleted red cells are available in Group O, A, B and AB, and RhD positive and RhD negative groups.
Modifications
Red cells can be phenotyped, washed, CMV-seronegative, frozen and irradiated.