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Transfusion medicine explained clearly
Saving lives with blood plasma
Blood plasma is far more than the fluid surrounding blood cells. It is used as a blood component and as a starting material for medicines. Both uses can be important for patients, but only for a clear indication and under medical supervision.
Donor plasma, plasma-derived medicinal products and autologous PRP are different products with different fields of use.
about 55%
of human blood consists of plasma. It is clear to slightly yellow and consists mainly of water.1
two pathways
Therapeutic plasma can be transfused or processed further to manufacture individual plasma proteins.
clear indication
Plasma is not a general volume replacement and not a blanket means of “detoxification”.
Basics
What is blood plasma?
Blood plasma is the liquid, largely cell-free component of blood. It transports blood cells and numerous dissolved substances. In addition to water, plasma contains proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones and metabolic products.
Albumin
Albumin performs transport functions and helps maintain colloid osmotic pressure.
Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins are antibodies. They are obtained from human plasma and used as medicines for defined diseases.
Coagulation factors
Various coagulation factors and their inhibitors are involved in controlled haemostasis.2
Transport and regulation
Plasma distributes dissolved substances throughout the body and helps regulate fluid balance, pH and blood volume.
Transfusion
When therapeutic plasma is used
Therapeutic plasma contains a broad spectrum of coagulation factors. It may form part of a comprehensive treatment strategy when relevant coagulation factors are missing or severely diluted during major bleeding. The decision depends on the clinical situation, coagulation diagnostics and the applicable transfusion-medicine guidelines.3
Possible clinical situations
- severe acute bleeding with a relevant coagulation disorder
- certain plasma-exchange procedures
- selected coagulation-factor deficiencies when no suitable concentrate is available
No blanket use
- not as a general volume replacement
- not for artificial nutrition
- not solely to normalise individual laboratory values as a precaution
The required amount of plasma cannot be defined generally.
It depends on factors such as body weight, blood loss, coagulation values and the clinical course. Fixed litre amounts therefore do not belong in a general patient or retailer article.
Further processing
Medicines made from donated plasma
Some donated plasma is separated into individual protein fractions in specialised manufacturing processes. This produces authorised medicines intended for defined diseases and treatment situations.4
Typical product groups
- immunoglobulin preparations
- coagulation factors and coagulation inhibitors
- human albumin
- fibrin sealants and other specialised plasma proteins
Why donations are still needed
Some proteins can now also be produced recombinantly. This does not, however, replace the full range of plasma-derived medicinal products. The international supply of safe plasma products therefore remains dependent on blood- and plasma-donation systems.5
Safety
Controls reduce risks, but do not eliminate them completely
Blood and plasma donations are subject to requirements covering donor selection, laboratory testing, manufacturing and traceability. Depending on the product, further measures such as quarantine storage or pathogen inactivation may be used.
Possible reactions
- allergic reactions
- circulatory and volume overload
- rare severe transfusion reactions
- possible citrate and electrolyte disturbances with high volumes
Medical supervision
Therapeutic plasma is used only under medical supervision. Before transfusion, the indication, compatibility, blood group and other patient-related factors are assessed.
Important distinction
Donor plasma is not the same as PRP
In PRP preparation, a platelet-rich plasma fraction is produced from the patient’s own blood. Therapeutic donor plasma, by contrast, comes from another person’s donation and is used as a blood component or as starting material for plasma-derived products. Its origin, composition, regulation and medical purpose are fundamentally different.
| Feature | Therapeutic donor plasma | Autologous PRP |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | third-party donation from a blood or plasma donation | the treated person’s own blood |
| Main focus | broad spectrum of plasma proteins and coagulation factors | preparation of a platelet-rich plasma fraction |
| Use | transfusion medicine or manufacture of plasma-derived products | use within a PRP procedure under medical responsibility |
| Technique | collection and processing in authorised donation and manufacturing facilities | preparation with designated tubes, a centrifuge and a documented protocol |
The following internal links provide a technical distinction, not a treatment recommendation.
The linked products relate exclusively to the professional preparation of autologous PRP. They are not connected with blood donation, plasma transfusion or the manufacture of plasma-derived products.
Frequently asked questions
Blood plasma in brief
Can blood plasma be used for every major bleed?
No. The type of bleeding, coagulation status and clinical course are decisive. Plasma is only one possible component of a comprehensive transfusion strategy.
Is plasma a means of “detoxification”?
This blanket wording is medically misleading. Plasma performs transport and regulatory functions in the body, but this does not imply a general therapeutic “detoxifying effect” of plasma transfusion.
Is every plasma donation transfused directly?
No. Plasma can be used as a blood component or processed further to manufacture certain plasma-derived medicines.
Are PRP tubes suitable for donor plasma?
No. PRP tubes are intended for defined autologous PRP workflows. They are not containers for collecting, storing or transfusing therapeutic donor plasma.
Further information
- German Red Cross Blood Donation Services: Blood components
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: Plasma
- German Medical Association: Cross-sectional guidelines on therapy with blood components and plasma derivatives
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: Important medicines are made from a blood donation
- World Health Organization: Blood products