Freeze-dried plasma administration in trauma

Freeze-dried plasma is lyophilized fresh plasma, containing vital clotting factors.

This evidence report considers if freeze-dried plasma is a reasonable alternative to fresh-frozen plasma in traumatic critical bleeding. It examines the literature regarding:

• patient mortality
• safety
• intensive care and hospital length of stay
• the need for additional blood products
• efficacy
• storage
• ABO compatibility
• availability
• administration
• cost.

Download the evidence report (PDF 599.0 KB)

Key points from the report:

• Freeze-dried plasma (FDP) is a reasonable alternative to fresh-frozen plasma in traumatic critical bleeding.
• There may be enough evidence and international experience to support the introduction of FDP for clinical use.
• Any implementation of FDP is best conducted under controlled conditions such as research or quality improvement.

Outcome

To progress the adoption of FDP to treat people with traumatic critical bleeding, key stakeholders need to be identified to address:

• implementing a risk/benefit analysis for FDP
• the economic feasibility of FDP
• develop a research framework to determine FDP’s viability and suitability for NSW trauma.