What is plasma?
Plasma is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that makes up 55% of the total blood volume.
In the plasma, blood cells are suspended: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
It is composed of water (90%), electrolytes, and a large amount of proteins that ensure the proper functioning of our body, including the following:
- Immunoglobulins, which are defenses that protect us from infections.
- Clotting factors, which, along with platelets, are responsible for stopping bleeding when we get cut.
- Albumin, a protein that transports hormones and drugs to tissues.
Out of the average 5 liters of blood in a 70-kilo person, about 3 liters are plasma.
Plasma Donation
Plasma donation, also known as "plasmapheresis," involves extracting blood, separating the blood cells using a cell separator, retaining the plasma, and returning the rest to the donor through the same process.
The donation takes about 45 minutes. Since plasma is mostly water, donors recover very quickly and donations can be more frequent. Plasma can be donated every 15 days.
Who Can Donate Plasma?
To donate plasma, the same requirements as for blood donation must be met. Individuals must be between 18 and 70 years old, weigh over 50 kilos, be in good health, and, for women, not be pregnant. Additionally, if you have donated blood, you must always wait a month before your next donation.
All blood types are accepted, although blood type AB is the universal plasma donor that is compatible with all recipients. Unfortunately, only 3 out of every 100 people in Catalonia have this blood type.
How Is Plasma Used?
Every day, patients throughout Catalonia require plasma for their treatments. Discover their stories here.
Some patients suffer from severe burns or serious accidents, and the transfusion of plasma helps stop bleeding and restore blood volume.
Others only need some of the proteins found in plasma. In these cases, the proteins are extracted from plasma and processed into medications, called "blood products," which can only be obtained from the blood of other individuals.
For example, hemophiliacs may experience severe bleeding due to a lack of a clotting protein in their blood.