title: Guidelines for the use of fresh frozen plasma. British Committee for Standards in Haematology, Working Party of the Blood Transfusion Task Force.
abstract: Fresh frozen plasma should only be used to treat bleeding episodes or prepare patients for surgery in certain defined situations. Definite indications for the use of FFP: 1. Replacement of single coagulation factor deficiencies, where a specific or combined factor concentrate is unavailable. 2. Immediate reversal or warfarin effect. 3. Acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). 4. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Conditional uses: FFP only indicated in the presence of bleeding and disturbed coagulation: 1. Massive transfusion. 2. Liver disease. 3. cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. 4. Special paediatric indications. No justification for the use of FFP: 1. Hypovolaemia. 2. Plasma exchange procedures. 3. 'Formula' replacement. 4. Nutritional support. 5. Treatment of immunodeficiency states.
authors.affiliation: British Society for Haematology, London, U.K.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ala
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greaves
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Machin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Napier
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002648:Child; D000075202:Contraindications; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000628:therapy; D006461:Hemolysis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000635:transmission; D010949:Plasma; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy