The early use of fresh frozen plasma as a resuscitative agent after hemorrhagic shock has been associated with improved survival, but the mechanism of protection is unknown. Hemorrhagic shock causes endothelial cell dysfunction and we hypothesized that fresh frozen plasma would restore endothelial integrity and reduce syndecan-1 shedding after hemorrhagic shock. A prospective, observational stu...

INTRODUCTION The plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level is an important diagnostic and prognostic marker of heart failure. Recent studies have suggested urinary NT-proBNP as a new and simple test for diagnosis of heart failure. We aim to compare diagnostic value of plasma, fresh and frozen urine levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for detectin...

Fresh frozen plasma and intravenous immunoglobulin are used as prophylaxis against, and for the treatment of, neonatal infection. It is assumed that any beneficial effect is mediated through the humoral immune factors contained in each preparation. The effect of fresh frozen plasma and intravenous immunoglobulin on humoral immune markers (immunoglobulins and IgG subclasses, complement component...

PURPOSE Peeling of the internal limiting membrane is the treatment of choice for macular holes. Fresh platelet suspension (PS) is used to support wound healing in persistent macular holes. The concentration of growth factors in fresh, frozen, and thrombin-activated PSs were compared, to optimize their trophic potential and examine their capacity to support proliferation, migration, and contract...

A 70-year-old woman with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was treated with plasmapheresis using fresh frozen plasma as a fluid replacement. Complete recovery and lasting remission were observed. It appears that plasmapheresis combined with massive fresh frozen plasma can be an effective mode of treatment for patients who were, otherwise, refractory to conventional therapy.

The Questions: (1) Should the patient receive vitamin K and fresh-frozen plasma on evaluation in the emergency department to reverse international normalized ratio? (2) If so, what is the appropriate targeted international normalized ratio level? (3) Should other hemostatic agents such as prothrombin complex concentrates or NovoSeven be used instead of (or in combination with) fresh-frozen plasma?