FFP is prepared from whole blood or apheresis donations and frozen at – 18° C or below within 8 hours of collection. The volume of the unit is typically 200 – 250 mL. When stored at -18° C or below, FFP outdates in 12 months (six year storage at –65° C is allowable but requires FDA approval). When proper storage conditions are maintained, there is minimal loss of coagulation factor activity including labile factors V and VIII. One mL of FFP contains approximately 1 unit of factor activity.
Prior to administration FFP is thawed at 30 - 37° C in an FDA cleared thawing device. If thawed in a water bath, a protective wrap is used to prevent contamination of the ports on the unit. Thawed FFP is stored at 1-6° C and must be infused within 24 hours of thawing. After 24 hours, the component must be discarded, or if collected in a functionally closed system may be relabeled as Thawed Plasma.
