Evaluation and comparison of coagulation factor activity in fresh-frozen plasma and 24-hour plasma at thaw and after 120 hours of 1 to 6°C storage

Analysis of prolonged storage on coagulation Factor (F)V, FVII, and FVIII in thawed plasma: is it time to extend the expiration date beyond 5 days?

BACKGROUND

According to AABB standards, fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) should be thawed at 30 to 37°C and expire after 24 hours. An increase in the aggressive management of trauma patients with thawed plasma has heightened the risk of plasma waste. One way to reduce plasma waste is to extend its shelf life, given that the full range of therapeutic efficacy is maintained. We evaluated the effect of prolonged storage at 1 to 6°C on the activity of Factor (F)V, FVII, and FVIII in plasma thawed at 37 or 45°C.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Group O plasma from healthy donors (n=20) was divided into 10 pairs and frozen and stored at not more than -18°C. One sample from each pair was thawed at 37 or 45°C, and all were stored at 1 to 6°C. Samples were analyzed for FV, FVII, and FVIII activity on Days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20.

RESULTS

Plasma thawing time was 17% less at 45°C than at 37°C. No differences were observed between thawing groups in coagulation activity of FV, FVII, and FVIII during the 20-day storage period (p>0.12). In both groups, the activity of FV and FVIII decreased over time but remained within a normal range at 10 days.

CONCLUSION

Although levels of plasma clotting factors are reduced in storage, therapeutic levels of FV and FVIII are maintained in thawed plasma stored for up to 10 days at 1 to 6°C. Thawing of FFP at 45°C decreases thawing time but does not affect the activity of FV, FVII, and FVIII.

Storage of thawed plasma for a liquid plasma bank: impact of temperature and methylene blue pathogen inactivation

BACKGROUND

Rapid transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) is desired for treating coagulopathies, but thawing and issuing of FFP takes more than 40 minutes. Liquid storage of plasma is a potential solution but uncertainties exist regarding clotting factor stability. We assessed different storage conditions of thawed FFP and plasma treated by methylene blue plus light (MB/light) for pathogen inactivation.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Fifty thawed apheresis plasma samples (approx. 750 mL) were divided into three subunits and either stored for 7 days at 4°C, at room temperature (RT), and at 4°C after MB/light treatment. Clotting factor activities (Factor [F] II, FV, FVII through FXIII, fibrinogen, antithrombin, von Willebrand factor antigen, Protein C and S) were assessed after thawing and on Days 3, 5, and 7. Changes were classified as "minor" (activities within the reference range) and "major" (activities outside the reference range).

RESULTS

FFP storage at 4°C revealed major changes for FVIII (median [range], 56% [33%-114%]) and Protein S (51% [20%-88%]). Changes were more pronounced when plasma was stored at RT (FVIII, 59% [37%-123%]; FVII, 69% [42%-125%]; Protein S, 20% [10%-35%]). MB/light treatment of thawed FFP resulted in minor changes. However, further storage for 7 days at 4°C revealed major decreases for FVIII (47% [12%-91%]) and Protein S (49% [18%-95%]) and increases for FVII (150% [48%-285%]) and FX (126% [62%-206%]).

CONCLUSION

Storage of liquid plasma at 4°C for 7 days is feasible for FFP as is MB/light treatment of thawed plasma. In contrast, storage of thawed plasma for 7 days at RT or after MB/light treatment at 4°C affects clotting factor stability substantially and is not recommended.

Logistics of Massive Transfusions

Care of the patient with massive bleeding involves more than aggressive surgery and infusion of large amounts of blood products. The proper management of massive transfusions—whether they are in trauma patients or other bleeding patients—requires coordination of the personnel in the surgical suite or the emergency department, the blood bank, and laboratory.

The how's and why's of evidence based plasma therapy

Although traditionally fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been the product of choice for reversing a significant coagulopathy, the modern blood bank will have several different plasma preparations which should all be equally efficacious in reversing a significant coagulopathy or arresting coagulopathic bleeding. Emerging evidence suggests that for a stable patient, transfusing plasma for an INR≤1.5 does not confer a hemostatic benefit while unnecessarily exposing the patient to the risks associated with plasma transfusion. This review will discuss the various plasma products that are available and present some of the current literature on the clinical uses of plasma.

Comparison of platelet transfusion as fresh whole blood versus apheresis platelets for massively transfused combat trauma patients (CME)

BACKGROUND

At major combat hospitals, the military is able to provide blood products to include apheresis platelets (aPLT), but also has extensive experience using fresh whole blood (FWB). In massively transfused trauma patients, we compared outcomes of patients receiving FWB to those receiving aPLT.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective review of casualties at the military hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between January 2004 and December 2006. Patients requiring massive transfusion (≥10 units in 24 hr) were divided into two groups: those receiving FWB (n = 85) or aPLT (n = 284) during their resuscitation. Admission characteristics, resuscitation, and survival were compared between groups. Multivariate regression analyses were performed comparing survival of patients at 24 hours and at 30 days. Secondary outcomes including adverse events and causes of death were analyzed.

RESULTS

Unadjusted survival between groups receiving aPLT and FWB was similar at 24 hours (84% vs. 81%, respectively; p = 0.52) and at 30 days (60% versus 57%, respectively; p = 0.72). Multivariate regression failed to identify differences in survival between patients receiving PLT transfusions either as FWB or as aPLT at 24 hours or at 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival for massively transfused trauma patients receiving FWB appears to be similar to patients resuscitated with aPLT. Prospective trials will be necessary before consideration of FWB in the routine management of civilian trauma. However, in austere environments where standard blood products are unavailable, FWB is a feasible alternative.