Resuscitation: Frozen Plasma (FP)

Frozen Plasma (FP):

  • Can be stored for up to 1 year.
  • Contains all of the coagulation factors found in whole blood.
  • One dose of plasma (10 – 15 mL/kg), replaces ~20% of a patient’s coagulation factors.

Indications:

  • Active bleeding or before a significant operative procedure in patients with INR, PT or PTT > 1.8 times normal due to multiple factor deficiency (e.g. liver disease, DIC) when no coagulation factor concentrates or other alternative therapy are available.
  • Massive transfusion AND cannot wait for INR/PT/PTT results in light of clinical deterioration.

FP is NOT indicated for:

  • Warfarin reversal in a bleeding patient or a patient requiring an emergency invasive procedure (within 6 hours) if prothrombin complex concentrates are available.
  • Elective reversal of warfarin where time allows for warfarin cessation and/or use of vitamin K.
  • Reversal of other anticoagulants (e.g. heparin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban).

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