Product Description
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| Fresh Frozen Plasma | - Contains all coagulation factors with minimum FVIII>0.7IU/mL.
- Stored frozen (colder than -25°C) with a shelf life of up to 12 months.
Plasma separated from whole blood and frozen within 18 hours of collection. Also prepared from anticoagulated blood which is separated into components by a suitable apheresis machine with retention of the plasma and return of the remaining elements to the donor. The apheresis plasma is then divided into two units of equal volume and freezing commenced within six hours of collection. | 250 - 334mL |
| Fresh Frozen Plasma, Paediatric | Plasma separated from whole blood which is then divided into four packs of equal volume and frozen within 18 hours of collection. | Volume – a quarter of a normal unit of FFP.
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Modifications Available
IgA Deficient
Low level of the IgA globulin - IgA deficient patient should receive as little IgA as possible to avoid anaphylaxis.
Low titre anti-T
For patients with T activation.
Indications for Use
- Indicated for patients with a coagulopathy who are bleeding or at risk of bleeding where specific therapy e.g. Vitamin K or a concentrate is not appropriate or available.
- May be of used in massive transfusion, cardiac bypass, liver disease or acute DIC to replace labile coagulation factors.
- May be indicated to correct warfarin overdose.
- May be indicated for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).
Precautions
- Consider the use of FFP. Is a transfusion required?
- Do not use FFP when specific therapy is available and more appropriate eg Factor VIII, vitamin K.
- Do not use for blood volume replacement where this can be achieved safely using other volume expanders eg 0.9%, Hartmann’s, NaCl, Haemaccel, Gelofusin.
- Caution is needed with volume. Volume overload is a particular risk in the very young, the elderly and in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Compatibility
TESTING - blood group on record.
Compatibility testing is not required however ABO compatible plasma should be used wherever possible. Group AB plasma can be used for all groups in an emergency. Restrict Group O recipients to Group O plasma.
ABO
FFP / Cryodepleted Plasma should be ABO compatible.
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| A | A, AB |
| B | B, AB |
| AB | AB |
| O | O, AB, A, B |
Note: AB FFP/Cryo-depleted plasma may be used for all patient ABO groups.
Rh(D)
FFP/Cryo-depleted plasma may be transfused without regard to Rh(D) type.
Dosage and Administration
Volume depends on clinical situation, patient size and laboratory tests. General guide is 10 – 15mL/kg per dose.
For patients with specific factor deficiencies, always consider specific replacement therapy rather than FFP e.g. Factor VIII for haemophilia A.
Once thawed use immediately or store at 2 - 6°C for 24 hours. Can be stored for up to five days at this temperature but must not be used for Factor VIII deficiency. If used to treat coagulopathies other than Factor VIII deficiency, thawed FFP may be allocated by a medical practitioner for a designated patient under his or her care and stored at 2 - 6°C for up to 5 days.
Transfusion Set-up
Note: this is a guide only – individual hospital guidelines should be followed.
- Mix gently but thoroughly by inversion prior to use.
- Administer through a new IV blood giving set incorporating a 170-200 micron filter (large particle filter which only removes aggregates and other large particles).
Patient Monitoring
Note: this is a guide only – individual hospital guidelines should be followed.
Commence the transfusion as soon as possible after thawing of FFP (within 30 minutes of removal from approved storage).
Check patient vital signs (pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure and temperature) at the start of transfusion AND at least after 15 minutes, at the end of the transfusion AND if there is ANY reaction. Record observations in the patient’s notes.
How Long Should a Transfusion Take?
- Transfusion of each unit may proceed as fast as tolerated but must be completed within four hours of commencing the transfusion.