Plasma components
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is separated and frozen, usually within
six to eight hours after collection, to preserve factor VIII content.
Other plasma components are:
- Cryoprecipitate – this is prepared by controlled thawing of
frozen plasma to precipitate high molecular weight proteins,
including factor VIIIc, von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen
- Cryoprecipitate depleted plasma – this is FFP from which
cryoprecipitate has been prepared, leading to reduced
concentration of fibrinogen and factor VIII
Leucocyte depletion
Removal of leucocytes to a level of less than one million per
component by filtration or during collection of blood components
by apheresis is normal practice in a number of EU countries.
Advantages of leucodepletion include a marked reduction in
alloimmunisation to HLA antigens and in the risk of infection by
intracellular viruses such as cytomegalovirus. Leucodepletion
of red cells may also be associated with improved outcomes in
some groups of patients.