The FFP medical abbreviation stands for fresh frozen plasma, the liquid part of donated blood that is frozen soon after collection to preserve its clotting factors. It is given through an IV, mostly to help control or prevent bleeding when the blood is not clotting well.
FFP appears in hospital orders, blood bank records, surgery and intensive care notes, and transfusion consent forms. It is one of several blood components, alongside red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate, each separated from whole blood for a specific job.
At a glance
Stands for
Fresh frozen plasmaWhat it contains
Plasma proteins, including clotting factorsGiven by
IV transfusion, measured in unitsWhere you see it
Transfusion orders, blood bank records, ICU and surgery notesRelated products
Red cells, platelets, cryoprecipitate, thawed plasmaMatching
Chosen by ABO blood type
What the FFP medical abbreviation refers to
Blood is made of cells floating in a yellowish liquid called plasma. Plasma carries water, salts and many proteins, including the clotting factors the body uses to form a clot and stop bleeding. When plasma is separated from a donation and frozen quickly, usually within about 8 hours, those factors stay active. That product is fresh frozen plasma.
A related product frozen within 24 hours is sometimes labeled differently by the blood bank, but clinicians often refer to both simply as plasma. Before use, a frozen unit is thawed in the blood bank and sent to the bedside, where it must be given within a set time.
When FFP is used
Doctors order fresh frozen plasma when a patient is bleeding, or about to have a procedure, and has low levels of several clotting factors at once. Common settings include:
- Major bleeding and trauma: as part of a massive transfusion protocol, often written MTP, given with red cells and platelets.
- Liver disease: the liver makes most clotting factors, so severe disease can lower them.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation: written DIC, where clotting factors are used up.
- Plasma exchange: for some conditions, such as TTP, where plasma replacement is part of treatment.
- Reversing a blood thinner: in urgent cases, when more targeted products are not available.
FFP is not used simply to add fluid volume. Lab tests such as the INR and PTT help guide the decision, along with the bleeding itself.
Reading an FFP order
| Piece | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Transfuse 2 units | Give two bags of the product |
| FFP | Fresh frozen plasma |
| Prior to procedure | Give before a planned procedure |
| Recheck INR | Repeat the clotting test afterward |
ICU note: "INR 2.9, active GI bleed, 2 units FFP given, repeat coags in 1 hour." The team gave plasma because the clotting test was high and the patient was bleeding, and planned to recheck. The line shows format only.
FFP compared with other blood products
| Product | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| Packed red blood cells | Carry oxygen, raise hemoglobin |
| Platelets | Help form the first plug at a bleeding site |
| FFP | Replace many clotting factors at once |
| Cryoprecipitate | Concentrated fibrinogen and a few other factors |
Plasma is matched by ABO blood type, but the rule runs opposite to red cells. Type AB plasma has no anti A or anti B antibodies, so it can be given to patients of any type, which makes it the universal plasma in emergencies.
Safety and monitoring during a transfusion
Before any plasma is given, two staff members usually check the patient's identity and the unit label at the bedside. Nurses take vital signs before, during and after the transfusion. Possible reactions include fever, itching or hives, and less often breathing problems from fluid overload or a lung reaction linked to transfusion. Staff stop the transfusion and call the provider if signs of a reaction appear.
Patients are usually asked to sign a consent form for blood products, and the team explains the reasons and risks. Questions about alternatives are welcome at that point.
FFP for students and new staff
Nursing, lab and coding students see FFP in transfusion records, massive transfusion protocols and blood bank logs. Charting usually includes the unit number, start and end times, vital signs and any reaction. Although blood products are ordered differently from pills, the same order shorthand often appears around them, so the prescription abbreviations section is a handy companion.
This is general information about a blood product. Whether a transfusion is right in a particular situation is a decision for the treating team, who can explain the reasons and risks for that person.
Frequently asked questions
What does FFP mean in medical terms?
FFP means fresh frozen plasma. It is the liquid part of donated blood, frozen soon after collection so its clotting factors stay active, and it is given by IV transfusion.
Why would someone need FFP?
It is used when a person is bleeding or about to have a procedure and is low in several clotting factors. Examples include major trauma, severe liver disease and some clotting disorders.
What blood type of plasma can anyone receive?
Type AB plasma can be given to patients of any ABO type because it lacks anti A and anti B antibodies. That is the reverse of red cells, where type O negative is the emergency choice.
Is FFP the same as platelets?
No. Platelets are cell fragments that form the first plug at a bleeding site. FFP is plasma that supplies the clotting factor proteins.