Plasma is the liquid component of blood, making up about 55% of its total volume. In the body, it transports nutrients, hormones and protein to different organs. It also contains clotting factors that stop bleeding due to injury and antibodies that fight infection.
These characteristics of plasma have made it a critical ingredient in a wide range of life-saving therapies for chronic and rare health conditions. Since plasma cannot be manufactured in a laboratory, plasma donations are needed to make these treatments.
Many Americans give plasma at donation centers. In 2021 alone, the annual number of plasma donations stood at over 53 million. However, the demand for plasma continues to grow.
If you’re considering making a plasma donation, you might wonder why plasma is in such demand and where your donations go.
In this blog, we discuss what plasma donations are used for, what plasma-based therapies are as well as the types of plasma-derived therapies and the conditions they treat or help prevent.
How Plasma Is Collected
There are two primary methods of obtaining plasma: blood donation and plasmapheresis. Blood donation involves collecting whole blood and then separating the plasma from the other blood components.
Meanwhile, plasmapheresis refers to a procedure in which plasma is extracted using a special machine, allowing the red and white blood cells to be returned to the donor’s body.
Once the plasma is extracted, it is screened for potential infections or diseases, ensuring that it is safe for use. The processed plasma is then used in various ways, such as to:
Create Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and Plasma Frozen within 24 Hours of Collection (PF24) for transfusions to patients at hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Manufacture plasma-derived therapies or medicines made from plasma that treat a variety of medical conditions.
Who Benefits From a Plasma Donation
Plasma donations help many people. The following are just a few examples:
Individuals With Immune Deficiencies
Patients with immune deficiencies, such as Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PIDD), rely on plasma-derived therapies to provide them with the antibodies their immune system cannot produce. These individuals can live healthier lives thanks to donated plasma.
Patients With Hemophilia and Other Clotting Disorders
People who have bleeding disorders like hemophilia and von Willebrand disease often require plasma-derived therapies. Plasma-derived clotting factors are essential in helping their blood to clot properly.
Burn, Trauma and Critically Ill Patients
Patients who have experienced severe burns, shock or trauma, as well as those who are critically ill, may require plasma donations to help stabilize their blood volume and support their vital functions.
Rare Disease Patients
Many rare diseases are treated or managed with plasma-derived therapies. Some examples are:
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Hemophilia A and B
- Hereditary angioedema
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Pachydermoperiostosis
- Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PD)
- Kawasaki Disease
Animal Bite Victims
Human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) is a treatment that prevents rabies infection after a bite or other type of exposure. It is made from plasma with high levels of rabies antibodies. HRIG is administered at the start of anti-rabies prophylaxis. It immediately creates antibodies, protecting the patient until their body responds to the rabies vaccine and starts making its own.
What’s more, tetanus shots, which a physician is likely to recommend to a patient who has been bitten by an animal, are also made from plasma.
Plasma-Based Therapies: A Closer Look
Plasma-based therapies are medical treatments derived from human plasma. They contain essential proteins, antibodies, enzymes and clotting factors that help treat or manage various diseases and conditions.
Plasma components are isolated, purified, and used to create specific therapies targeting different medical needs. These therapies can be administered through injections or infusions.
Types of Plasma-Derived Therapies and Conditions Treated
The following are some examples of plasma components used in plasma-derived therapies and the conditions they’re used for.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)
Immunoglobulin (Ig) therapies are a type of medical treatment involving administering antibodies to patients to boost their immune system. These therapies are commonly used to treat patients with immune deficiencies, such as primary immunodeficiency disorders, as well as certain autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases.
Albumin
Albumin is a protein critical in maintaining blood volume and providing essential nutrients. Albumin therapy is used to treat burn victims, critically ill patients, and individuals undergoing major surgery, such as cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
Coagulation Factors
Coagulation factors aid blood clotting and are vital for individuals with hemophilia or other disorders. These therapies help prevent and control bleeding episodes.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that protects lung tissues from the damaging effects of inflammation. It is used to treat patients with AAT deficiency, a genetic disorder that can lead to emphysema and liver disease.
Antithrombin III (AT-III)
AT-III is an anticoagulant that helps regulate blood clot formation and is used to treat patients with AT-III deficiency, a rare condition that can cause blood clots in the veins.
C1 Esterase Inhibitor (C1-INH)
C1-INH is used to treat hereditary angioedema, a rare genetic disorder that causes severe swelling in body tissues. This therapy helps control and prevent swelling episodes.
Rho(D) Immune Globulin
Rho(D) Immune Globulin is used to prevent Rh disease in at-risk pregnancies. It is administered to Rh-negative pregnant women who are carrying an Rh-positive fetus.
Make a Difference: Donate Plasma Today
By donating plasma, you can make a significant difference in the lives of those battling immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders and other rare diseases. Your plasma donation helps patients with these conditions live longer, healthier and more active lives. At the same time, your plasma donations pave the way for future medical advancements.
At ABO Plasma in Orem, we appreciate our donors’ contributions and the positive impact that they make on countless patients’ lives. So when you donate, we are happy to compensate you.
To learn more about our donation process, please view our Donation Checklist. You may book an appointment directly online if it’s your first time to donate. We accept walk-ins as well.