Plasma versus plasma protein concentrate transfusion for coagulopathic control

Plasma is the liquid part of blood, which contains proteins and nutrients. Canadian Blood Services processes whole blood donations into plasma and other components in order that more patients can be helped from a single donation. Plasma can be thawed and transfused into patients, or it can be pooled and manufactured into plasma protein drugs which can be pasteurized. Plasma transfusion is an established medical procedure dating back to WWII, but it is controversial as to whether it benefits patients. It is also unknown which of the many proteins in plasma are most important in delivering clinical benefit. Plasma is usually transfused to stop bleeding. The investigators have developed a mouse model in which they reduce all circulating plasma proteins by 80%. Anesthetized mice then bleed much more than normal when they are subjected to standard cuts, either to their tails, their livers, or their smallest blood vessels. The investigators have identified one particular plasma protein, coagulation factor II (FII) as being very important. They now propose to test the ability of purified FII to reduce bleeding in the mouse model. They will also test their idea by removing FII from mouse plasma and determining if the depleted plasma loses its ability to stop bleeding when transfused. They will then follow up on their discovery that a plasma protein product called prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) works to stop bleeding, and find out if combining it with fibrinogen improves bleeding control. Lastly they will see if the lessons from mice apply to human plasma in the test tube.

SHEFFIELD, William

McMaster University

Intramural Research Grant Program

Ontario

$224,417