Fresh dried plasma: a solution for the shortage of blood products in developing countries

The availability of blood products for replacement therapy of hemophilia and allied disorders is still a formidable problem in most developing countries which consist of 80% of the world population. Fresh dried plasma (FDP) is a lyophilized form of fresh frozen plasma which can be stored at 4 degrees C, whereas fresh frozen plasma must be stored at -20 degrees C. A large-scale production of FDP from single units of fresh frozen plasma was achieved by the National Red Cross Blood Center in Thailand. This paper describes the method of preparation, biochemical and blood coagulation properties of FDP during one-year storage as well as its clinical usefulness. A batch of 179 bottles of FDP stored at 4 degrees C for one week, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was studied in order to determine the biochemical and blood coagulation parameters. FDP has pH higher than that of fresh frozen plasma, but its value is within the safety range for infusion. Electrolyte and protein levels were comparable with those of fresh frozen plasma. Coagulant activities of factors I, II, V, VII, VIII, IX and X were about 10% lower than those of fresh frozen plasma; however, they are in the acceptable therapeutic range and all were stable during storage at 4 degrees C for up to one year. Over 4,000 bottles of FDP were used with good clinical and laboratory response and no series side effects were observed in the treatment of bleeding in blood coagulation disorders and home care therapy of hemophilia.