F.F.P.

F.F.P. (Fresh Frozen Plasma) is a blood product made from the liquid portion of whole blood. It is used in various medical treatments and is essential in managing patients with clotting disorders, massive blood loss, and other conditions requiring plasma replacement.

Production

Fresh Frozen Plasma is produced by collecting whole blood from a donor and separating the plasma from the blood cells. The plasma is then frozen within hours of collection to preserve its clotting factors and other vital proteins. The freezing process ensures that the plasma remains viable for up to one year when stored at -18°C or colder.

Uses

F.F.P. is primarily used in the following medical scenarios:

• Coagulation disorders: Patients with conditions such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease may require F.F.P. to replace missing or deficient clotting factors.
• Massive transfusion: In cases of severe trauma or surgery where significant blood loss occurs, F.F.P. is used to restore blood volume and clotting ability.
• Liver disease: Patients with liver disease may have impaired production of clotting factors, necessitating F.F.P. transfusion.
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP): F.F.P. is used in the treatment of TTP to replace deficient ADAMTS13 enzyme and to provide necessary clotting factors.

Administration

F.F.P. is administered intravenously and must be thawed before use. The thawing process should be done carefully to maintain the integrity of the plasma. Once thawed, F.F.P. should be used within 24 hours to ensure the effectiveness of the clotting factors.

Risks and Complications

While F.F.P. is generally safe, there are potential risks and complications associated with its use:

• Allergic reactions: Some patients may experience allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.
• Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI): A rare but serious complication where the patient develops acute respiratory distress following transfusion.
• Infections: Although screened rigorously, there is a minimal risk of transmitting infections through F.F.P.

Related Pages

• Blood transfusion
• Plasma (blood)
• Coagulation
• Hemophilia
• Von Willebrand disease
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Liver disease

See Also

• Cryoprecipitate
• Platelet transfusion
• Red blood cell transfusion