Comparison of fresh-frozen plasmas thawed in a microwave oven and in a 37 degrees C water bath

Fresh-frozen plasma can be thawed rapidly in a microwave oven without loss of function of coagulation factors and with no adverse effects to the patients. In patients receiving fresh-frozen plasma thawed in a microwave oven, the prothrombin time was decreased by an average of 2.9 sec per unit, and the activated partial thromboplastin time was decreased by an average of 9.6 sec per unit, compared with decrease of 2.6 sec and 6.3 sec for patients receiving fresh-frozen plasma thawed in a water bath at 37 degrees C.