Fresh Frozen Facts Part 4: A Thoughtful Look at Plasma Transfusion by Dr. Caitlin Raymond
Caitlin Raymond, MD/PhD shared an insightful chain of posts on LinkedIn:
”Fresh Frozen Facts, Part IV: Beyond the Blood Bag
We’ve spent the last three posts unpacking the nuances of plasma as a transfusion product — thawed, typed, and delivered with varying degrees of clarity and clinical intent. But plasma’s story doesn’t stop there.
In Part IV, we explore what happens after donation — when plasma is fractionated, purified, and turned into targeted biologics that power modern hematology, neurology, rheumatology, immunology, and more.
From albumin for oncotic support to IVIG for immune modulation and Rh immune globulin for alloimmunization prevention, these plasma-derived therapies are more than just “blood products.” They’re precision tools — crafted for specific indications and held to pharmaceutical-grade standards.
We cover:
- Albumin: when it’s the right choice — and when it isn’t
- IVIG: how it works, when to use it, and key risks to know
- RhIg: an elegant triumph of targeted immunotherapy
- Hyperimmune globulins, antithrombin, C1 esterase inhibitor, and more
- The evolving landscape of patient-centered transfusion, including care for Jehovah’s Witnesses and the legacy of hemophilia and HIV
This final installment is about precision, stewardship, and respect — for the science and the people behind every plasma product.
And if you’ve missed the earlier parts of the series, now’s the time to catch up.
Because transfusion medicine doesn’t end with a blood bag — and sometimes the most powerful plasma products don’t look like blood at all.
Read the full post here.
Caitlin Raymond, MD/PhD, has launched an educational series on Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), now available on her journal blog.
Enjoy the final part and make sure you do not miss all the Fresh Frozen Facts!
Stay tuned for updates to the Fresh Frozen Facts series on Hemostasis Today.
-
Aug 10, 2026, 16:09Preetie Shetty Akkunje: Making Stroke Rehabilitation Accessible in Low-Resource Settings
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:50The Next Antithrombotic Frontier: GPVI Inhibitors Beyond Aspirin
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:47Edward Lee Carter: 61% of Patients on Reduced-Dose Apixaban Did Not Meet Label Criteria
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:45Vrushali Lad: What Living With DVT Taught Me About Lifestyle and Movement
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:42Wolfgang Miesbach: Cognitive Impairment in aPL-Positive Patients
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:39Iftikhar Khan: What Is the Optimal Antithrombotic Strategy After Left Atrial Appendage Closure?
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:36Anas Hamad: Medication Adherence and Treatment Persistence Following the Switch From VKAs to DOACs
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:11Shazmah Shaikh: How Does a Thrombus Actually Form?
-
Aug 10, 2026, 15:01William Wallace: Is Your Cholesterol Test Missing Your Biggest Inherited Risk?