Articles on Medical Diseases and Conditions

Massive blood transfusion is defined by the AABB as replacement of the patient’s blood volume (equivalent to 8-10 units of whole blood in a 70-kg person) within 12 hours (some define the time period as 24 hours). Transfusion of such volumes presents special difficulties, depending on the substance being transfused and the rate of administration. […]

Platelets are supplied in units that are equivalent to the number of platelets in one unit of whole blood (about 5.5 x 1010). These are obtained as single platelet units from random-donor whole blood units or as multiple platelet units from a single donor by means of platelet apheresis. Platelets are stored at room temperature […]