A study on factors influencing the hemostatic potential of fresh frozen plasma

Background: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is administered to correct deficiencies of various coagulation factors. The level of these factors in FFP varies with donor demographics and ex-vivo processing of plasma. In this study we have compared the quality control parameters of FFP collected from donors of different genders, age groups, ABO blood groups, smoking and alcohol intake habits. Materials and Methods: Four ABO group matched plasma units were pooled, split and further processed by four different freeze-thaw algorithms: frozen by contact shock freezer; thawed at 37°C, frozen by contact shock freezer; thawed at 45°C, frozen by mechanical freezer; thawed at 37°C, frozen by mechanical freezer; thawed at 45°C. The coagulation factor levels in plasma units were compared. Results: There were no significant differences in the quality parameters with donor age, gender and alcohol intake. Factor VIII levels were significantly lower in O group FFP (P Conclusion: Rapid freezing is recommended for optimum preservation of coagulation factors. Thawing may be done at 45°C in cases of emergency, without compromising hemostatic potential.