Assessing the Rationale and Effectiveness of Frozen Plasma Transfusions: An Evidence-based Review.
Frozen plasma is a commonly used blood product. The primary indications for frozen plasma are the treatment and prevention of bleeding in patients with prolonged coagulation tests. However, there is a lack of well-conducted clinical trials to determine the appropriate indications for frozen plasma. The rationale and evidence for frozen plasma transfusions are reviewed, including the evidence or lack of evidence supporting common indications. Targeting indications in which frozen plasma transfusions are clearly not beneficial as supported by the current evidence provides an opportunity to improve the current use of frozen plasma and reduce adverse transfusion events.
Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, University of Ottawa Centre for Transfusion Research, Ottawa Health Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada. Electronic address: atinmouth@ohri.ca.
Alan
A
Tinmouth
D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma
Appropriateness; Bleeding; Frozen plasma; Hemostasis; Prophylaxis