PF24

PF24 stands for “Plasma frozen within 24 hours after phlebotomy.” In the US, this product can be made from either whole blood or apheresis collection. PF24 differs from “fresh frozen plasma” (FFP) in a very specific way:

• FFP:
  • In freezer (at < -18C) within 8 hours of collection
• PF24:
  • In refrigerator (at 1-6C) within 8 hours of collection
  • In freezer (at < -18C) within 24 hours of collection

The up to 16-hour difference in freezer placement between the two products leads to mild to moderate decreases in the “labile coagulation factors” in PF24. As expected, there is some decrease in factor VIII (FVIII) when compared to FFP, but the levels of factor V (FV) are not significantly different between the two products in many studies (there is also a significant decrease in the clotting inhibitor Protein C in PF24). Theoretically, PF24 should not be used in clinical situations where a patient has a deficit of either FV or FVIII, but in reality, the two plasma products are used interchangeably. A recent rule change allows PF24 to be used to make Cryoprecipitate; this was formerly prohibited for fear of decreased levels of FVIII, but blood centers have shown clearly that PF24 units result in adequate (>80 IU) levels of FVIII). Finally, like FFP, PF24 can be relabeled as Thawed Plasma and transfused up to 11:59 pm on the 5th day after thawing.

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