Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether the quantities of some coagulation factors in fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) produced from whole blood stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h are adequate for their intended purpose.
Materials and methods: The amounts of some coagulation factors (fibrinogen, FV, FVII, FVIII, FX and FXI) in FFP separated from whole blood after storage at 4 degrees C for 24 h were compared with the amounts of the corresponding coagulation factors in FFP separated from whole blood within 8 h of donation.
Results: In 98% of the FFP units prepared after 24 h of storage, the levels of fibrinogen, FV, FVII, FX and FXI were greater than 0.5 IU/mL. The concentration of FVIII in the 24 h plasma units was 82% of that found in the FFP units prepared within 8 h of blood collection. In FFP, FVIII, FVII and FX were reduced by 38%, 8% and 3%, respectively, but FV, FXI and fibrinogen were not reduced.
Conclusion: These data suggest that there is good retention of coagulation factor activity in plasma produced from whole blood stored at 4 masculineC for 24 h and that such plasma would be an acceptable product for most patients requiring FFP.
Keywords: Fresh-frozen plasma (FPP); coagulation factors; whole blood.