FOR TRANSFUSING PLASMA |
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| PATIENT GROUP | FIRST CHOICE (RANKED IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE) | SECOND CHOICE | CANNOT RECEIVE |
| O | O, B, A | AB | |
| A | A | AB | O, B |
| B | B | AB | O, A |
| AB | AB | O, A, B | |
| When we transfuse red cells, we worry about a patient's antibodies destroying the transfused cells. For example, if a group A patient (who has anti-B) receives group B red cells, his anti-B will rapidly annihilate the group B red cells. When we transfuse plasma components, we worry that the transfused plasma will destroy the patient's red cells. Suddenly, group AB plasma (which contains neither anti-A nor anti-B) becomes the "universal donor" and group O plasma (which contains both anti-A and anti-B) can only go to group O individuals. Group AB plasma is very rare (rarer than group O red cells) and should only be used when necessary, which is why it is listed as a second choice. |
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