What Is Plasma for Transfusion?
Frozen plasma (FP) is human donor plasma, either recovered from a single whole-blood donation or obtained by plasmapheresis, frozen within a specific time period after collection and then stored at a defined temperature, typically –30°C. Plasma frozen within 8 hours is called fresh frozen plasma (FFP); plasma frozen at slightly longer intervals (typically up to 24 hours) after collection is referred to as frozen plasma (known as F24 in the U.S.). Levels of the labile coagulation factors V and VIII may be slightly lower in FP in comparison with FFP. Although both components (FFP and F24) are largely considered clinically equivalent by physicians, and for the purposes of this review will be covered (interchangeably) by the common term FP, evidence for equivalence has not been documented. After thawing, FP contains near-normal levels of most plasma proteins, including procoagulant and inhibitory components of the coagulation system, acute phase proteins, immunoglobulins and albumin, altho
