Preparation of Red Blood Cells

Canadian Blood Services produces three types of Red Blood Cells (RBC):

AS-3 RBCs, LR (Leukocytes reduced)
CP2D RBCs, LR (Leukocytes reduced)
CPDA-1 RBCs, LR (Leukocytes reduced)

Following the implementation of the Buffy Coat Production Method (BCPM), a fourth red blood cell product will also be available:

SAGM RBCs, LR (Leukocytes reduced)

Preparation of AS-3 RBC

Below is a description of how AS-3 RBCs are prepared from a whole blood collection. Leukofiltration is not shown, but is done prior to centrifugation in Step 1.

Step 1		The whole blood donation is centrifuged to separate red cells from plasma.
Step 2		Approximately 190-260 mL of donor plasma is expressed into the first satellite bag (the maximum amount of plasma is removed) The plasma can be used to prepare Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), Frozen Plasma (FP) or cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant plasma. Alternatively, the plasma may be shipped as recovered plasma for further manufacture.
Step 3		The AS-3 (Nutricel ™) is added to the RBC
Step 4		The AS-3 RBC LR unit is sealed and stored at 1-6^oC for 42 days.

Preparation of CP2D or CPDA-1 RBC

Step 1		The whole blood donation is centrifuged to separate red cells from plasma.
Step 2		Approximately 190-260 mL of donor plasma is expressed into the satellite bag. The plasma can be used to prepare FFP, FP or cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant plasma. The plasma may also be shipped as recovered plasma for further manufacture.
Step 3		The RBC unit is sealed and stored at 1-6°C. CP2D RBCs have a shelf life of 21 days. CPDA-1 RBCs may be stored for 35 days from

Additional information on RBCs may be found in the Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components - 2004.

Preparation of SAGM RBC

When RBCs are prepared by the BCPM, the whole blood donation is centrifuged using a “hard spin” to separate red cells from plasma (the buffy coat layer containing the platelets appears as a thick white layer above the red cells). Using the component separator (Compomat G4) RBCs and plasma are extracted from the buffy coat (from the bottom and top of the primary bag respectively). See preparation of random donor platelets for additional information.

Below is a simplified explanation of how SAGM Red Blood Cells (LR) is prepared from a whole blood collection using the wholed blood filtration method. Leukofiltration is not shown.

Step 1		The whole blood donation is centrifuged to separate red cells from plasma. Segments are prepared and secured to the blood pack.
Step 2		The plasma is separated from the red blood cells using the Compomat G4 (a semi-automated instrument for extracting the plasma). The SAGM additive is then added to the red cells.
Step 3		The SAGM RBC unit is gently mixed until homogenous and stored at 1-6° C for a maximum of 42 days.