COAGULATION PARAMETERS OF CPD FRESH-FROZEN PLASMA AND CPD CRYOPRECIPITATE-POOR PLASMA AFTER STORAGE AT 4-DEGREES-C FOR 28 DAYS

A pilot study was performed on the storage of plasma and cryosupernata nt plasma at 4-degrees-C for up to 28 days. Eight bags, four of CPD fr esh-frozen plasma (FFP) and four of CPD cryosupernatant plasma (CSP pl asma without cryoprecipitate), were sampled during storage for assays of pH; factors V, VIII, IX, and XI; fibrinogen; prothrombin time; acti vated partial thromboplastin time (APTT); plasma protein electrophores is; viscosity; and C1q binding. No changes were found in viscosity or the plasma protein electrophoretic pattern, and there was no detectabl e immune complex formation. The fibrinogen concentration remained cons tant, and the prothrombin time showed a gradual increase of 2.5 second s for both groups of plasma. The labile coagulation factor V decreased gradually for FFP and CSP to 58 and 64 percent of its initial value, respectively (51 +/- 8% and 54 +/- 6% of the value of fresh pooled pla sma). Factor VIII decreased to 36 percent of its initial value in FFP (48 +/- 14% of fresh pooled plasma). In CSP, factor VIII decreased aft er 28 days to 7 percent of its initial value (7 +/- 1% of fresh pooled plasma). The APTT increased for FFP from 28 to 35.8 +/- 1.1 seconds a nd for CSP from 36 to 49.5 +/- 4.9 seconds. The only chemical change o bserved for both plasmas was a rise in pH, from 7.27 to 7.56, after 28 days. The results of this pilot study indicate that FFP can be stored at 4-degrees-C for 28 days with sufficient recovery of coagulation fa ctors to maintain hemostasis. The prolongation of the APTT in CSP is d ue to factor VIII deficiency. In vascular surgery and intensive care p atients who do not have prolonged APTT, CSP stored at 4-degrees-C for up to 28 days could be used, but in vivo studies are necessary for eva luation.