TABLE 3.

Pros and Cons of Whole Blood Use in Trauma Compared to Component Therapy

Pros	Cons
• Does not require Y-tubing or priming tubing with 0.9% Normal Saline	• Leukoreduced units should be supplemented with platelets
• Can be given quickly	• Cryoprecipitate may still be required for hemostasis if the patient requires fibrinogen replacement
• Immediately ready for transfusion when available • Limited storage time, resulting in higher quality product transfused and more viable cells	• O-negative units contain plasma with anti-A and anit-B antibodies that can cause hemolytic reactions.
• Reduces amount of non-therapeutic fluid (i.e., preservative solution) transfused to the patient	• Risk of Rh alloimmunization during future pregnancies when transfused to O-positive females
• Immediate delivery of coagulation factors not found in packed red blood cells; faster time to hemostasis
• Efficiency of transfusion (1-unit whole blood for every 3 units of components)
• Reduced risk of administration errors with fewer products transfused