Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether thawed plasma stored for 5 days at 1-6 ºC is appropriate for use.
Materials and methods: Samples taken from thawed plasma units stored for 5 days at 1-6 ºC were prepared for assays of the levels of factor V, factor VIII, and factor X, and for measurements of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). The results obtained were then compared with those from other similar studies.
Results: The average decreases in percentages of coagulation factors from day 1 to day 5 were 20% for factor V, 11% for factor X, and 25% for total factor VIII. The changes in the range of coagulation factors over the 5-day storage period were statistically significant, but the values remained within the haemostatic range. The average increases in the levels of PT and aPTT from day 1 to day 5 were also not clinically pathological.
Conclusions: Thawed fresh-frozen plasma stored for 5 days at 1-6 °C can be used in different cases of coagulopathy and can be used as an alternative to plasma frozen within 24 hours of phlebotomy.