A New Rapid Method for Thawing Fresh Frozen Plasma

Abstract

The use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) often results in unused thawed units because of the time required to thaw FFP prior to use. A rapid thawing technique was studied, utilizing a microwave oven. Resultant levels of coagulation factors were compared with conventional slow thawing in a 37 C water bath. Mean prefreezing, rapid thaw and conventional thaw values were fibrinogen 246, 223, 238 mg/100 ml; prothrombin 101, 103, 105 per cent; factor V; 102, 79, 86 per cent; factor VIII 94, 77, 75 per cent; factor IX 103, 92, 90 per cent; factors VII/X 101, 107, 103 per cent; and factor × 84, 79, 82 per cent. No significant differences existed between rapid thawing and conventional thawing for any coagulation factor studied. Average thawing times were five minutes for rapid thawing (RT) and 25 minutes for conventional thawing. Although careful establishment of thawing time is required for each oven, microwave thawing permits better utilization of FFP for surgery and speeds delivery in emergencies, without destroying coagulation proteins.