Background
The information on this page was selected from an Information Leaflet produced by the National Haemovigilance Office, issued in January 2003.
- Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions due to hypersensitivity to infused plasma proteins or anti-IgA following the transfusion of Solvent Detergent Plasma (SDP) are rare (<1: 1000) and are likely to be of the same order as for FFP.
The usual starting dose of SDP is 12-15 mls/Kg.
- Monitor the response both clinically and with measurement of prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- The infusion of SDP should begin as soon as clinical circumstances permit after thawing.
- Beware volume overload if rapid infusion is used in patients with limited cardiac reserve. (max rate 2-4mls/kg per hour in such patients)
- Each unit of SDP contains a standard volume of 200mls, in contrast to a unit of FFP, which contains 220-300mls.
- Plasma therapy should only be given where there is a clear clinical indication and where the expected benefit outweighs the inherent risks.
Firm indications for giving plasma include:
- The correction of haemostatic disorders where no other more suitable therapy exists or is available
- Emergency warfarin reversal where prothrombin complex concentrates are unavailable (see Mx over-anticoagulation )
SDP is only required for the reversal of over anticoagulation in the presence of major bleeding.
A reversal agent is available in CUH for Dabigatran - contact haematology SpR.
- Haemostatic failure associated with major blood loss
- Liver disease, either in the presence of haemorrhage, or prior to an elective procedure
- Acute Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
- Factor V deficiency and acetyl cholinesterase deficiency
- The treatment of choice in thrombotic thrombocytopaenia purpura (TTP) in conjunction with plasma exchange