'rule of thumb' to transfuse one unit of FFP

Q: What is the 'rule of thumb' to infuse one unit of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)?


Answer: 

In patients with no documented cardiac dysfunction, one unit of FFP can be given over 1.5 hours. And, if there is a concern for volume overload, it should be given slowly over four hours.

To put  exactly in terms of calculated value: healthy patients should be transfused with 2 to 3 mL/kg/hour, and cardiac failure patients with 1 mL/kg/hour.

#hematology


References:

Chowdary P, Saayman AG, Paulus U, et al. Efficacy of standard dose and 30 ml/kg fresh frozen plasma in correcting laboratory parameters of haemostasis in critically ill patients. Br J Haematol 2004; 125:69.