Clinical use of plasma and plasma fractions.

The use of plasma and plasma-derived products has always involved a careful balance of anticipated benefit versus risk. Risk reduction through pathogen-inactivated products has been successful, but the expense of manufacture does not warrant widespread use. Although plasma has always had limited indications for use, these are often misunderstood or ignored in favor of received knowledge and tradition. Solid evidence from multiple trials support the limited indications for FFP described here and support products that target specific coagulation defects.