Blood and Blood Components
Blood is the red coloured fluid flowing continuously in our body’s circulatory system. About 1/12th of the body weight of a healthy individual is blood. On an average there are about 5 6 litres of blood present.
While blood, or one of its components, may be transferred, each component serves many functions, including the following:
* red blood cells - carry oxygen to the tissues in the body and are commonly used in the treatment of anemia.
* platelets - help the blood to clot and are used in the treatment of leukemia and other forms of cancer.
* white blood cells - help to fight infection, and aid in the immune process.
* plasma - the watery, liquid part of the blood in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended. Plasma is needed to carry the many parts of the blood through the bloodstream. Plasma serves many functions, including the following:
o helps to maintain blood pressure
o provides proteins for blood clotting
o balances the levels of sodium and potassium
* cryoprecipitate AHF - a portion of the plasma that contains clotting factors that help to control bleeding.
Albumin, immune globulins, and clotting factor concentrates may also be separated and processed for transfusions.
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