Recent developments in the clinical use of blood derivatives

New trends of the clinical use of blood derivatives are mainly: The extensive use of concentrated RBC (Haematocrit 72 +/- 2%) prepared from blood collected in CPD-adenin bags and stored at 4 degrees C up to 35 days. The selective use of packed RBC resuspended in SAG-mannitol solutions, providing long conservation of plasma-free RBC. The increasing use of platelets transferred into gas permeable plastic bags, allowing a 22 degrees C storage of at least 5 days, with an excellent viability. The coming back of fresh frozen plasma (FEP) and cryoprecipitates which reduce the potential risk of AIDS, bound to the use of large pools of plasma. In connection with this, a brief updating of the AIDS spread and etiology is presented and discussed.