packed red blood cells

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) are a biologic blood product prepared from whole human blood by removing the majority of the plasma, resulting in a concentrated suspension of erythrocytes. The primary active component is hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein within red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen from the lungs to peripheral tissues. PRBCs are administered via intravenous transfusion to treat symptomatic anemia and restore oxygen-carrying capacity in patients with significant blood loss, impaired erythropoiesis, or critical illness. In specialized clinical settings, such as patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for refractory cardiogenic shock, PRBC transfusions are essential for maintaining tissue oxygenation and managing high consumption rates associated with extracorporeal support.

Other names

PRBCsred blood cellserythrocytesconcentrated red blood cells