What is the difference between Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma?
Fresh Frozen Plasma contains all blood clotting factors including the heat labile Factors V and VIII. Plasma contains all blood clotting factors with reduced amount of the heat labile Factors V and VIII. Fresh Frozen Plasma is used to treat a suspected or known deficiency or malfunction in clotting Factors V and VIII. It is also used to replace all clotting factors if a patient has had a massive bleed where its total blood volume has been replaced in less than 24 hours. Fresh Frozen Plasma is also used to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Both Fresh Frozen Plasma and Plasma can be used to treat conditions such as parvovirus infection, coumarin/warfarin toxicosis, albumin replacement, passive immunity to orphaned neonates. In a case of parvovirus infection, Fresh Frozen Plasma should be reserved to treat severe intestinal bleeding. Whenever possible, use Plasma if the patient does not require Factor V and VIII correction or replacement. This allows for a more efficient