Blood plasma has plenty of uses and applications, which brings many benefits to people at serious medical risk. Also known as plasmapheresis, plasma donation benefits patients, including those who experience shock, burns, and other forms of trauma.
If you want to know how to donate plasma and what the process entails, you can visit any of our centers at ABO Holdings. Our certified and experienced staff will happily assist you and answer your questions. In this blog post, we’ll cover what blood plasma is and its many applications in various medical fields.
What is Plasma?
According to the American Red Cross, blood plasma is the yellowish fluid component of blood that contains water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, waste products, and nutrients. Around 55% of human blood is composed of plasma and is made up of 92% water. Further, 7% of this substance is made up of vital proteins, such as anti-hemophilic factor, gamma globulin, and albumin.
Blood plasma is vital in transporting nutrients and substances throughout the body, maintaining osmotic balance, and serving as the medium for immune responses. Plasma can be separated from blood cells and used in medical treatments and research.
It performs essential functions:
- It supports cell function and maintains the body’s pH balance.
- It delivers necessary electrolytes such as potassium and sodium.
- Plasma is responsible for supplying critical proteins.
- This substance helps maintain blood volume and regulate blood pressure.
This information can help a plasma first-time donor understand the vital functions of plasma and its benefits to recipients. Before you learn how to donate plasma, it is also crucial to understand its various applications.
Medical and Therapeutic Applications
Blood plasma serves several crucial medical and therapeutic purposes, primarily through transfusions and the development of plasma-derived products. Learning about these applications helps you understand what to expect when you donate plasma. Here’s an overview of its various applications:
Whole Blood Transfusions
Plasma can be administered as part of whole blood transfusions to replace lost blood volume in trauma cases, surgery, or certain medical conditions.
Plasma Transfusions
In cases where patients require specific blood components, such as clotting factors or antibodies, plasma transfusions are utilized to address deficiencies.
Treatment for Patients
Blood plasma can be used for various treatments:
- Burn Victims: Plasma-derived products like albumin can help maintain blood volume in burn patients and prevent hypovolemia.
- Clotting Disorders: Plasma is a source of clotting factors, including fibrinogen and various proteins, which are crucial for blood coagulation. People with hemophilia or von Willebrand disease may receive plasma-derived products to enhance clotting abilities and prevent excessive bleeding.
- Immune Deficiencies: Plasma contains immunoglobulins (antibodies) that are pivotal in the immune response. Patients with primary or secondary immunodeficiencies can receive immunoglobulin therapy, also known as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), derived from plasma. IVIG helps boost the immune system and fight off infections.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Plasma-derived products may be used in autoimmune conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome, where the immune system attacks the body’s nerves. In addition, immunoglobulin therapy can help modulate the immune response.
- Neurological Conditions: Patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy may benefit from plasma exchange therapy, where plasma is removed and replaced with a suitable substitute to reduce harmful antibodies and inflammation.
Emergency Medicine
The use of blood plasma plays a vital role in trauma, cases of severe bleeding, and other procedures in emergency medicine. Plasma transfusions are a critical intervention to stabilize patients facing life-threatening hemorrhage.
This liquid component of blood helps restore lost blood volume, maintaining blood pressure and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Blood plasma provides essential clotting factors and proteins, aiding in the body’s ability to form clots and prevent further bleeding, which is especially crucial in emergency scenarios.
Rapid access to plasma transfusions can be a lifesaving measure when immediate action is required to address extensive blood loss.
Research and Clinical Trials
Various agencies and health authorities have used blood plasma in research. According to published research, this substance is used to discover treatments for infectious diseases like chickenpox. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a study on using blood plasma to treat COVID-19 patients.
According to a 2021 review of various research journals, donated blood plasma can be used in the treatment of many diseases and conditions:
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Stroke and other neurological disorders
- Different types of blood disorders
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
Plasma therapy’s diverse applications underscore its dynamic nature, continually revealing new ways it can improve patient outcomes and advance the frontiers of medical research.
As research in this area continues to flourish, the future of blood plasma holds great potential for innovative treatments and medical breakthroughs.
Make an Appointment to Donate Plasma at ABO Holdings
A plasma donation can make a huge difference for many patients, especially those with life-threatening conditions.
At ABO Holdings, our team makes this process seamless and comfortable. Please fill out our online contact form for more information and to make an appointment.