Red Cell Concentrate (Packed RBC)

Definition: A component obtained by removing the majority of plasma & platelets from whole blood.

Properties: Mean count as low as 0.05 x 106 are achievable. Each unit must have a maximum hemoglobin content of 40grms.

Storage: After collection blood should be kept under controlled temperature between 2 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius. Temperature should not exceed 10 degrees Celsius. Expiry date under these conditions depends on the anticoagulant used. Example: using CPDA-1 the storage time is 35 days.

Alternatively, whole blood can be kept up to 24hrs in controlled temperature of between 20  to 24 degrees Celsius, if platelets are to be prepared from the particular whole blood.