Analysis of prolonged storage on coagulation Factor (F)V, FVII, and FVIII in thawed plasma: is it time to extend the expiration date beyond 5 days?
BACKGROUND
According to AABB standards, fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) should be thawed at 30 to 37°C and expire after 24 hours. An increase in the aggressive management of trauma patients with thawed plasma has heightened the risk of plasma waste. One way to reduce plasma waste is to extend its shelf life, given that the full range of therapeutic efficacy is maintained. We evaluated the effect of prolonged storage at 1 to 6°C on the activity of Factor (F)V, FVII, and FVIII in plasma thawed at 37 or 45°C.


METHODS
Group O plasma from healthy donors (n=20) was divided into 10 pairs and frozen and stored at not more than -18°C. One sample from each pair was thawed at 37 or 45°C, and all were stored at 1 to 6°C. Samples were analyzed for FV, FVII, and FVIII activity on Days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20.


RESULTS
Plasma thawing time was 17% less at 45°C than at 37°C. No differences were observed between thawing groups in coagulation activity of FV, FVII, and FVIII during the 20-day storage period (p>0.12). In both groups, the activity of FV and FVIII decreased over time but remained within a normal range at 10 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Although levels of plasma clotting factors are reduced in storage, therapeutic levels of FV and FVIII are maintained in thawed plasma stored for up to 10 days at 1 to 6°C. Thawing of FFP at 45°C decreases thawing time but does not affect the activity of FV, FVII, and FVIII.
University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. tholpady@gmail.com
Ashok
A
Tholpady
Janet
J
Monson
Rajko
R
Radovancevic
Kimberly
K
Klein
Arthur
A
Bracey
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000592:standards; D058731:Blood Safety / Q000592:standards; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005165:Factor V / Q000032:analysis; D005167:Factor VII / Q000032:analysis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D005165:Factor V; D005167:Factor VII; D005169:Factor VIII