Multiple levels of degradation diminish hemostatic potential of thawed plasma

Nena Matijevic, Vadim Kostousov, Yao Wei W. Wang, Charles E. Wade, Weiwei Wang, Phillip Letourneau, Elizabeth Hartwell, Rosemary Kozar, Tien Ko, John B. Holcomb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Severe bleeding after injury requires transfusion of blood products, including fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Many centers are keeping thawed plasma (TP) ready for massively transfused patients. According to the American Association of Blood Banks Standards, TP is approved for transfusion up to 5 days after thawing, when stored at 1°C to 6°C. However, there are no clinical data analyzing the effects of the approved 5-day storage on plasma. We hypothesize that the hemostatic potential (HP) of freshly thawed (FFP-0) was superior to plasma stored for 5 days (FFP-5). Methods: FFP from 30 single donors were thawed at 37°C and kept at 1°C to 6°C for 5 days. HP was evaluated at day 0 and 5 by measuring kinetics of thrombin generation (TG), kinetics of clot formation by thromboelastography, clotting factors and inhibitors, and cell-derived microparticles (MPs) by flow cytometry. Results: When comparing FFP-5 to FFP-0, FFP-5 exhibited only 40% of the potential of FFP-0 for TG (6.2 nM/min vs. 14.3 nM/min, p < 0.0001), a slower clotting response via thromboelastography (reaction time: 4.3 minutes vs. 3.2 minutes, p < 0.0001) and a longer delay in reaching maximum thrombus generation (5.7 minutes vs. 4.6 minutes, p < 0.01). Diminished HP was accompanied by a significant decline in multiple coagulation proteins, including FV, VII, VIII, von Willebrand factor, and free Protein S, by up to 30%, and a decrease of 50% in MP counts. Conclusion: The HP and clot forming ability of TP significantly declined with storage. Hence, freshly TP may have a greater ability to restore hemostasis and correct coagulopathy compared with FFP-5. The clinical consequences for transfused patients deserve further exploration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-80
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume70
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • FFP storage
  • Microparticles
  • TEG
  • Thrombin generation
  • Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multiple levels of degradation diminish hemostatic potential of thawed plasma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this