Glenview, Illinois – The American College of Chest Physicians ® (CHEST) recently released a new clinical guideline on the transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) andplatelets in critically ill adults . Published in the journal CHEST ® , the guideline contains seven evidence-based recommendations to provide a framework for clinicians to implement in their own facilities.
“In practice, we see all too often [that] prophylactic transfusion of platelets or fresh frozen plasma is done unnecessarily,” says Angel Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP, lead author on the guideline. “Transfusion is rarely needed prior to bedside procedures, with lumbar puncture being a possible exception. Following the new guideline, we can drastically reduce the use of FFP.”
The panel of experts developed seven Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome questions addressing platelet and FFP transfusions in critically ill patients and performed a comprehensive evidence review. The panel applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach to assess the certainty of evidence and to formulate and grade recommendations.
“In the United States, 20% of platelets and FFP are transfused to critically ill patients, totaling 2.2 million units of each annually,” says Dr. Coz Yataco. “They are scarce resources with variable costs and access globally. If implemented on a large scale, this guideline provides the framework to decrease the use [to] approximately half a million less units of platelets and FFP transfused annually in the United States alone.”
The panel formulated seven conditional recommendations. In addition to four procedure-specific recommendations, the guideline recommends:
The entire list of recommendations included in the new guideline can be accessed through the CHEST journal website .
About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians ® (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion advanced clinical practice, education, communication, and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 22,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians and its family of journals, including the flagship journal CHEST ® , visit chestnet.org .
CHEST Journal
Transfusion of Fresh Frozen Plasma and Platelets in Critically Ill Adults
10-Mar-2025