Rapid Thawing of Fresh Frozen Plasma

Abstract

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) normally requires about 45 min to thaw in a 37 degrees C water bath when placed inside an additional plastic overbag. That relatively prolonged time may result in non-utilization or delays in delivery of the product, especially, during emergency surgery. One report recommends the use of a microwave oven to overcome those problems. Most blood banks do not have microwave ovens but usually do have water baths at 56 degrees C. Ten units of FFP thawed inside plastic overbags at 37 degrees C required 49.5 +/- 3.9 min and 22 units thawed at 56 degrees C required 28.3 +/- 4 min to thaw. Removal of the plastic overbag reduces the thawing time to 12-13 min at 56 degrees C. The activity Factor V was 85 +/- 15% (65-106%) at 37 degrees C and 80 +/- 21% (47-118%) at 56 degrees C. Factor VIII activity was 86 +/- 21% (59-118%) at 37 degrees C and 90 +/- 37% (46-225%) at 56 degrees C. There were no demonstrable alterations in fibrinogen, PT, APTT, Factor II, VII, IX, and XI between the two thawing temperatures, even after 24 hours of storage at 4 degrees C.

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?

“…The results of this study also showed that the shorter duration of heat exposure required to thaw FFP at 45°C balanced the higher intensity of heat exposure, which led to comparable coagulation activities 16 . Westphal and colleagues 25 have proposed thawing FFP at 56°C, but because of the variation in factor recovery, thawing at this temperature has not been pursued 9 . Although 5 minutes may seem somewhat insignificant, any reduction in component processing time is advantageous, especially in the fast‐paced and unpredictable world of trauma.…”

The effect of repeated freezing and thawing on levels of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors and fibrinogen in fresh frozen plasma

“…[3] The activity of clotting factors, including vitamin K-dependent proteins[12] and fibrinogen[13] after thawing at different conditions[1415] has also been investigated. Methods of freezing and the rapidity of freezing and thawing, such as microwave versus water bath,[16–18] have been examined.…”

Vitamin K‐dependent coagulation factors and fibrinogen levels in FFP remain stable upon repeated freezing and thawing

“…The stability of clotting factors for different lengths of time at –20°C, –40°C, 20 and –65°C was tested, and it is now accepted that the latter can be stored for up to 7 years 1 . The activity of clotting factors, including vitamin K‐dependent proteins 10 and fibrinogen 21 after thawing at different conditions 22,23 were also investigated. Methods of freezing and the rapidity of freezing and thawing, such as microwave versus waterbath, 24–28 were examined.…”