open access
Clinical Use of Fresh Frozen Plasma in a Tertiary Care Hospital from India
open access
Abstract
Background. Increased utilization of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) over the last decade has
caused a rising trend in its unjustified usage exposing recipients to both infectious and non-
-infectious hazards. The aim of the study was to observe the pattern of clinical use of plasma
at a tertiary care hospital from India.
Material and methods. Prospective analysis of all the requests raised for plasma was carried
out. Indicators namely homogeneity of the requisition forms, patient demographics, indications
for transfusion, dosage, pre-transfusion coagulation parameters and adverse events were
noted. Appropriateness was defined based on compliance to both national and international
standards. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 (IBM, USA).
Results. Total nine hundred ninety eight patients (Males: 66%) received 4991 units of
plasma at an average of two episodes per patient. Majority were adults 83.6% (n = 835).
Primary users were internal medicine (32%) and plastic surgery (17%) respectively. Most
common indication was bleeding with coagulopathy seen in 41% (411/998) patients. Average
plasma volume administered was 456.2 ± 287.4 (17 to 2800) mL per episode. Pre-
-transfusions INR value was available in only 63.2% (n = 1317) episodes. Overall, 56% (n
= 1169) episodes were deemed appropriate. Total 0.28% plasma related adverse reactions
were seen and reported to the national hemovigilance database. Mortality in the study group
was 7.2%.
Conclusion. Existing transfusion practices for plasma use were moderately compliant with
the standards. Commonest indications for inappropriate FFP use were for low protein states
and prophylaxis without any evidence of bleeding.
Abstract
Background. Increased utilization of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) over the last decade has
caused a rising trend in its unjustified usage exposing recipients to both infectious and non-
-infectious hazards. The aim of the study was to observe the pattern of clinical use of plasma
at a tertiary care hospital from India.
Material and methods. Prospective analysis of all the requests raised for plasma was carried
out. Indicators namely homogeneity of the requisition forms, patient demographics, indications
for transfusion, dosage, pre-transfusion coagulation parameters and adverse events were
noted. Appropriateness was defined based on compliance to both national and international
standards. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 (IBM, USA).
Results. Total nine hundred ninety eight patients (Males: 66%) received 4991 units of
plasma at an average of two episodes per patient. Majority were adults 83.6% (n = 835).
Primary users were internal medicine (32%) and plastic surgery (17%) respectively. Most
common indication was bleeding with coagulopathy seen in 41% (411/998) patients. Average
plasma volume administered was 456.2 ± 287.4 (17 to 2800) mL per episode. Pre-
-transfusions INR value was available in only 63.2% (n = 1317) episodes. Overall, 56% (n
= 1169) episodes were deemed appropriate. Total 0.28% plasma related adverse reactions
were seen and reported to the national hemovigilance database. Mortality in the study group
was 7.2%.
Conclusion. Existing transfusion practices for plasma use were moderately compliant with
the standards. Commonest indications for inappropriate FFP use were for low protein states
and prophylaxis without any evidence of bleeding.
Keywords
fresh frozen plasma; appropriateness; clinical usage; guidelines




Title
Clinical Use of Fresh Frozen Plasma in a Tertiary Care Hospital from India
Journal
Journal of Transfusion Medicine
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
77-83
Published online
2017-10-25
Bibliographic record
Journal of Transfusion Medicine 2017;10(3):77-83.
Keywords
fresh frozen plasma
appropriateness
clinical usage
guidelines
Authors
Manish Raturi
Shamee Shastry
Mohandoss Murugesan
Poornima B Baliga