| Medical procedure |
Blood products needed |
| Liver transplant |
6-10 units of red blood cells
20 units of plasma
10 units of platelets
|
| Kidney transplant |
1-2 units of red blood cells |
| Heart transplant |
4-6 units of red blood cells |
| Adult open heart surgery |
2-6 units of red blood cells
2-4 units of plasma
1-10 units of platelets
|
| Newborn open heart surgery |
1-4 units of red blood cells
1-2 units of plasma
1-4 units of platelets
|
| Prostate cancer surgery |
2-4 units of red blood cells |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm |
4-6 units of red blood cells |
| Bone marrow transplant |
1-2 units of red blood cells every other day for 2-4 weeks
6-8 units of platelets daily for 4-6 weeks
|
| Automobile accident |
4-40 units of red blood cells |
| Leukemia |
2-6 units of red blood cells
6-8 units of platelets daily for 2-4 weeks
|
| Sickle cell disease |
10-15 units of red blood cells to treat severe complications |
| Premature newborn |
1-4 units of red blood cells while in Intensive Care |
Source: Linda Chambers, M.D., senior medical officer, Biomedical Headquarters
