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Table 2 Whole Blood Composition Compared with Component Therapy

From: The contemporary role of blood products and components used in trauma resuscitation

Whole Blood (500 mL)

Component Therapy (660 mL)

Hematocrit 38-50%

1 unit PRBC = 335 mL with hematocrit 55%

Platelets 150-400 K/μL

1 unit platelets = 50 mL with 5.5 × 1010 platelets

Plasma Coagulation Factors = 100%

1 unit plasma = 275 mL with 80% of the coagulation activity compared with whole blood

  1. 1 unit PRBCs + 1 unit platelets + 1 unit FFP = 660 mL with hematocrit 29%, platelets 88 K/μL and coagulation activity 65% compared with whole blood. (Component volumes reported are based on data provided from a North American reference.)
  2. Reproduced with permission from Chest 2010; 137:209-220.