NEED FOR BLOOD Procedure requirements
When a person donates a pint (one unit) of whole blood, their one donation may be processed into three components -- red cells, plasma and platelets -- to help as many as three different patients. Here are the typical blood needs for various procedures.
LIVER TRANSPLANT
6-10 units of red blood cells.20 units of plasma.10 units of platelets.
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
1-2 units of red blood cells.
HEART TRANSPLANT
4-6 units of red blood cells.
ADULT OPEN-HEART SURGERY
2-6 units of red blood cells.2-4 units of plasma.1-10 units of platelets.
NEWBORN OPEN-HEART SURGERY
1-4 units of red blood cells.1-2 units of plasma.1-4 units of platelets.
PROSTATE CANCER SURGERY
2-4 units of red blood cells.
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM
4-6 units of red blood cells.
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
1-2 units of red blood cells every other day for 2-4 weeks.6-8 units of platelets daily for 4-6 weeks.
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT
4-40 units of red blood cells.
LEUKEMIA
2-6 units of red blood cells.6-8 units of platelets daily for 2-4 weeks.
SICKLE-CELL DISEASE
10-15 units of red blood cells to treat severe complications.
PREMATURE NEWBORN
1-4 units of red blood cells while in intensive care.
Source: Dr. Linda Chambers, senior medical officer,Biomedical Headquarters