PB1118 - Evaluation of Normal Pooled Plasma prepared in-house from units of Fresh Frozen Plasma

Background: Normal Pooled Plasma(NPP) is typically used to perform mixing studies to investigate abnormal coagulation results. NPP can either be obtained commercially or prepared in-house from healthy individuals. We thought of preparing an in-house NPP from units of Fresh Frozen Plasma(FFP) that were used for routine quality check.

Aims: To evaluate the NPP prepared from units of FFP to check its utility in the performance of mixing study.

Methods: The NPP was prepared by pooling 4 units of FFP, aliquot and stored at-80°C. The stability of NPP was checked regularly for 3 months. The utility of the NPP was assessed using plasma of various coagulation abnormalities and results were compared with two currently used pooled plasmas. The Index of Circulation Anticoagulant(ICA) method was used to calculate the results of mixing study whereas ICA of≤11% was considered corrected.

Results: Our NPP contains acceptable levels of coagulation factors with the majority of factors were above 90%. The plasma remained stable for up to 3 months at-80°C. The NPP was able to fully correct all 4 abnormal samples due to factor deficiency. For example, the correction(ICA) of two prolonged PTs were 1% and1.2%. Similarly the correction(ICA) of two prolonged APTTs were 1.1%and1.2% respectively. On the other hand, the NPP did not correct prolonged APTT due to inhibitors. For example the mean results of mixing study(ICA) of samples(n=3) with lupus anticoagulant was 38%, whereas the mean results of mixing study(ICA) of samples (n=3) contaminated with heparin was 18%. Interestingly all results obtained from NPP were very similar to the currently used pooled plasma.

Conclusion(s): Overall, our NPP proved to be of high quality, stable, and with similar utility as the currently used pooled plasmas. This will provide us with adequate and continuous supply of NPP of a low cost and less time consuming.