Fresh frozen plasma
Fresh frozen plasma is separated and frozen within 18 hours after collection of whole blood.
It can also be prepared from anticoagulated blood that is separated into components by an apheresis machine, where plasma is retained and remaining elements are returned to the donor. The apheresis plasma is then divided into 2 or 3 units of equal volume and frozen within 6 hours of collection.
Fresh frozen plasma Paediatric is separated from a single unit of whole blood and then divided into four packs of equal volume. This is to reduce donor exposure for small paediatric transfusions and to minimise product wastage.
A unit of fresh frozen plasma contains all coagulation factors including the labile plasma coagulation factors VIII and V. An adult dose contains approximately 200 IU of factor VIII.
| Specifications of Fresh Frozen Plasma | |||
|
Fresh frozen plasma (Double split) |
Fresh frozen plasma (Triple split) |
Fresh frozen plasma (Paediatric) |
|
| Volume | 250–334 mL | 250–310 mL | 63–81 mL |
| Factor VIIIc | > 0.7 IU/mL | > 0.7 IU/mL | > 0.7 IU/mL |
Availability
This component is available in all ABO groups. Read about plasma compatibility.
Modifications
An adult dose of fresh frozen plasma can be modified as IgA deficient, low titre anti-T and secretor.
There are no modifications for paediatric doses.
