Blood Uses

Blood and blood products are a critical part of everyday medical care, such as major surgeries and other medical procedures.

Specifically:

• Red blood cells can be used to help accident victims, surgical patients and people with anaemia
• Platelets can be used to treat leukemia and cancer patients
• Plasma is effective in treating patients suffering from burns or shock
• Cryoprecipitate, an additional component of blood, has been used to treat hemophilia and now other blood disorders

Blood transfusions are a critical element of:

• Organ transplants
• Cancer therapy
• Heart surgery
• Treatment for anaemia
• Treatment for blood disorders
• Resuscitation of trauma victims
• Caring for premature infants

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How Much Blood Does it Take?

Different medical procedures require varying amounts of blood. For example:

• Coronary Artery Bypass: 1-5 units
• Fractured Hip/Joint Replacement: 2-5 units
• Cardiovascular Surgery: 2-25 units
• Bleeding Ulcer: 3-30 units
• Brain Surgery: 4-10 units
• Auto Accident/Gunshot wound: up to 50 units
• Liver Transplant: up to 100 units
• Other Organ Transplants: up to 10 units
• Bone Marrow Transplant: up to 2 units per day
• Sickle Cell: up to 4 units per month
• Aplastic Anemia: up to 4 units per month
• Cancer: up to 8 units per week

Source: America's Blood Centers (ABC)