Plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitates therapies

Abstract

The present review gives an overview of the components, applications and risks of transfusion therapy. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion is a widely used procedure both in a prophylactic and therapeutic context. In both scenarios the method of administration and the dosage are, improperly, the same; it is reported that in the clinical context FFP is inappropriately used in over 50% of cases.  According to different guidelines its only recommended use is in a condition of critical hemorrhage, as there is no evidence of positive outcomes in its prophylactic administration. Platelet concentrates (PCs) are broadly used to support patients with thrombocytopenia, whether it is pre or postoperative, or in intensive care medicine. The only consensus on its use is the prophylactic administration when the patient’s platelet count is lower than 10,000. Another use of PCs can be in reducing side effects and enhancing the effects of specific drugs, although this application is still complex. Cryoprecipitate usage in clinics is decreasing both due to its variable content of factors I, VIII, XIII and von Willebrand, and the amount of time necessary to obtain it. Of great importance in the transfusion therapy framework are the respiratory complications that can occur, such as Transfusion-Associated Cardiac Overload (TACO), Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI), Transfusion-Associated Dyspnea (TAD) and transfusion-induced sepsis. The suggested procedure when any of these (and other) complications occur is to seek consultation from the transfusion medicine unit.