Rapid thawing of fresh frozen plasma

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) normally requires about 45 min to thaw in a 37 degrees C water bath when placed inside an additional plastic overbag. That relatively prolonged time may result in non-utilization or delays in delivery of the product, especially, during emergency surgery. One report recommends the use of a microwave oven to overcome those problems. Most blood banks do not have microwave ovens but usually do have water baths at 56 degrees C. Ten units of FFP thawed inside plastic overbags at 37 degrees C required 49.5 +/- 3.9 min and 22 units thawed at 56 degrees C required 28.3 +/- 4 min to thaw. Removal of the plastic overbag reduces the thawing time to 12-13 min at 56 degrees C. The activity Factor V was 85 +/- 15% (65-106%) at 37 degrees C and 80 +/- 21% (47-118%) at 56 degrees C. Factor VIII activity was 86 +/- 21% (59-118%) at 37 degrees C and 90 +/- 37% (46-225%) at 56 degrees C. There were no demonstrable alterations in fibrinogen, PT, APTT, Factor II, VII, IX, and XI between the two thawing temperatures, even after 24 hours of storage at 4 degrees C.