Blood products and fluid therapy

This chapter describes the blood products which are commonly required as part of anaesthetic practice, including red cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate, platelet concentrate, and concentrated coagulation factor preparations. The essential components of patient blood management, aiming to reduce the requirement for transfusion, are described. The principles and practice of massive blood transfusion are described. The specific management of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other patients who decline blood transfusion, is discussed. The chapter finishes with a discussion of the common intravenous fluid preparations which are used in practice, and how to use them appropriately.