Name of the Procedure:

Fresh Frozen Plasma (Single Donor), Frozen within 8 hours of Collection, Each Unit (P9017)

• Common Name(s): Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), Single Donor Plasma
• Technical/Medical Terms: P9017

Summary

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is a blood product made from the liquid portion of whole blood. It’s harvested from a single donor and frozen within 8 hours of collection to preserve its clotting factors, proteins, and other components necessary for treatment.

Purpose

FFP is used to treat conditions where blood clotting is a problem. It provides the necessary clotting factors and proteins to help restore normal blood clotting mechanisms.

• Medical Conditions Addressed:
  • Severe bleeding
  • Coagulation disorders
  • Liver disease
  • Warfarin reversal
• Goals/Expected Outcomes:
  • Stop or prevent excessive bleeding
  • Restore normal levels of clotting factors

Indications

• Symptoms/Conditions:
  • Active bleeding with coagulation factor deficiencies
  • Inherited clotting disorders where specific clotting factor concentrates are unavailable
  • Massive transfusions
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
• Patient Criteria:
  • Laboratory confirmation of coagulation factor deficiency
  • Clinical signs of bleeding

Preparation

• Pre-Procedure Instructions:
  • No specific fasting needed.
  • Notify your doctor of any medications you are taking.
• Diagnostic Tests/Assessments:
  • Coagulation tests (INR, PT, aPTT)
  • Blood type and screen

Procedure Description

• Steps:
  1. Patient Assessment: Verification of the need for FFP and patient consent.
  2. Blood Sample: A blood type test to ensure compatibility.
  3. Administration: FFP is thawed and administered via intravenous (IV) line.
  4. Monitoring: Vital signs and patient condition are monitored throughout the procedure.
• Tools/Equipment:
  • IV line, infusion pump
  • Thawing device for plasma
• Anesthesia/Sedation: Not typically required.

Duration

• Time Taken: Generally 30 minutes to an hour, including preparation and infusion time.

Setting

• Location: Hospital, outpatient clinic, or surgical center.

Personnel

• Healthcare Professionals:
  • Doctors (often Hematologists or Emergency Physicians)
  • Nurses
  • Lab technicians

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks:
  • Allergic reactions
  • Fever
  • Mild swelling or redness at the IV site
• Rare Risks:
  • Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
  • Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)
  • Infections (due to strict screening, this is very rare)

Benefits

• Expected Benefits:
  • Rapid cessation of bleeding
  • Restoration of normal clotting times
• Onset of Benefits: Typically within minutes to hours after administration.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care:
  • Monitoring for allergic reactions or other side effects.
  • Regular blood tests to check coagulation levels.
• Expected Recovery Time: Immediate improvement in clotting times; however, underlying conditions may require ongoing treatment.
• Follow-Up: Regular follow-up visits for underlying condition management.

Alternatives

• Other Treatment Options:
  • Specific clotting factor concentrates
  • Vitamin K (for warfarin reversal)
  • Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs)
• Pros and Cons:
  • Specific clotting factor concentrates: Targeted but expensive and not always available.
  • Vitamin K: Effective for warfarin reversal but slower to act.
  • PCCs: Quick but carry a higher risk of thrombotic events.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure:
  • Generally painless, slight discomfort at the IV site.
  • May feel cold or warm sensation as the plasma is infused.
• After Procedure:
  • Possible mild fatigue.
  • Pain management: Usually not necessary, but any pain at the IV site can be managed with mild analgesics.