Comparison of fresh frozen plasma vs. coagulation factor concentrates for reconstitution of blood: An in vitro experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Many trauma centres have adopted the administration of fixed ratios of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), platelet concentrates and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for bleeding patients. However, the haemostatic efficacy of this concept is not well proven. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to characterise the haemostatic profile of different ratios (2 : 1 : 1, 1 : 1 : 1 and 1 : 1 : 2) of PRBCs, platelet concentrates and FFP in comparison with coagulation factor concentrates (fibrinogen and/or prothrombin complex concentrate). DESIGN: An in vitro experimental study. SETTING: Research laboratories of the department of transfusion medicine, Linz, Austria. MATERIALS: Whole blood donations from a total of 20 male volunteers. INTERVENTION: Reconstitution of blood at different ratios of PRBCs, platelet concentrates and FFP or coagulation factor concentrates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell count, conventional and thromboelastometric coagulation parameters, single coagulation factor activities as well as endogenous thrombin potential. RESULTS: Fibrinogen levels and haematocrit were lower in the FFP group at any ratio compared with the concentrate-based groups (P < 0.0001). Reconstitution of blood with FFP at different ratios resulted in haematocrit or fibrinogen levels that were borderline with regard to recommended substitution triggers (haematocrit 41 +/- 2% and fibrinogen 1.5 +/- 0.3 g l at the 2 : 1 : 1 ratio vs. 21 +/- 1% and 2.1 +/- 0.4 g l respectively at the 1 : 1 : 2 ratio). Compared with FFP at any ratio, maximum clot firmness showed higher values in the groups using fibrinogen concentrate (P < 0.0001), whereas endogenous thrombin potential revealed higher values in the groups using prothrombin complex concentrate (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Use of coagulation factor concentrates for the reconstitution of blood allows for delivery of a higher haematocrit and a higher fibrinogen content compared with FFP. However, prothrombin complex concentrate might result in an unnecessary excess of thrombin generation. Clinical studies are warranted to further investigate these in vitro findings.