Packed Red Blood Cells

Packed red blood cells, also known as red blood cell concentrates or red cell concentrates, are red blood cells that have been separated out for blood transfusion. A red blood cell concentrate typically has a hematocrit of 0.50 to 0.70 liters per liter and a volume between 250 and 320 milliliters, and it is given to compensate for blood lost through critical bleeding or to correct anemic conditions by increasing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. In an adult, one unit raises hemoglobin levels by about 10 grams per liter, and repeated transfusions may be needed for people undergoing cancer chemotherapy or living with a hemoglobin disorder. Widespread use of packed red blood cells began in the 1960s, following the introduction of polyvinyl chloride blood bags as storage containers in the middle of the 20th century, and it is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.