Open AccessEvaluation of Hemostatic Activity of Canine Frozen Plasma for Transfusion by Thromboelastography
Author(s) -
Urban R.,
Guillermo Couto C.,
Cristina Iazbik M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.12097
Subject(s) - thromboelastography , fresh frozen plasma , partial thromboplastin time , medicine , fibrinogen , prothrombin time , antithrombin , anesthesia , surgery , coagulation , platelet , heparin
Background In humans, fresh frozen plasma ( FFP ) loses factor V and VIII activities after 1 year. It then becomes frozen plasma ( FP ), and theoretically is unsuitable for use in patients with coagulopathies. These findings have not been reported for dogs. Hypothesis Canine FP is hemostatically active after 5 years of storage. Animals Fresh plasma (Group FsP; n = 15) and 5‐year‐old FP (Group FzP; n = 10) from blood bank donors. Methods Group FsP and Group FzP samples were evaluated by thromboelastography ( TEG ), one‐stage prothrombin time ( OSPT ), activated partial thromboplastin time ( APTT ), fibrinogen, and antithrombin. Fresh plasma (n = 6) and a subset of Group FzP (n = 8) were evaluated for clotting factor activities (V, VIII, IX, X). A 2nd experiment using short‐term storage of thawed FP under suboptimal conditions (refrigerated [4°C] or refrozen [−20°C]) by TEG was performed to simulate general practice storage capabilities. Results Group FzP had shorter reaction time ( P = .0007) and larger angle ( P = .0004) compared with Group FsP by TEG , suggesting hypercoaguability. Factor VIII and X activities were lower in Group FzP ( P = .02 and .005, respectively). Fibrinogen, OSPT , and APTT were significantly lower or longer for Group FzP than Group FsP ( P < .05), but most values remained within reference intervals for dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Five‐year‐old canine FP stored at −30°C is hemostatically active and should be clinically evaluated in patients with coagulopathies. If active, the monetary savings of using older plasma will be substantial.