NICE - indication for fresh frozen plasma (FFP)

Fresh frozen plasma

Thresholds and targets

Fresh frozen plasma transfusion for patients should only be considered with clinically significant bleeding but without major haemorrhage if they have abnormal coagulation test results (for example, prothrombin time ratio or activated partial thromboplastin time ratio above 1.5).

Do not offer fresh frozen plasma transfusions to correct abnormal coagulation in patients who:

• are not bleeding (unless they are having invasive procedures or surgery with a risk of clinically significant bleeding)
• need reversal of a vitamin K antagonist

Consider prophylactic fresh frozen plasma transfusions for patients with abnormal coagulation who are having invasive procedures or surgery with a risk of clinically significant bleeding.

Reference:

• NICE (November 2015). Blood transfusion