Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) Dose Calculator
Weight-based FFP dosing for humans (10–15 mL/kg) and dogs (6–20 mL/kg), with units needed and estimated infusion time. Doses verified against transfusion guidelines — see references.
Medical disclaimer: This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not medical advice. FFP dosing must follow your institution's transfusion protocol and the prescribing physician. Transfusion carries risks (allergic reactions, TRALI, volume overload). Veterinary mode: FFP in dogs must only be administered by a licensed veterinarian.
Typical: 200–250 mL. Check your blood bank's actual unit volume — it varies.
Commonly cited: 2–3 mL/kg/h; as fast as tolerated in acute bleeding.
Human FFP dose
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Factor increase is a rough estimate (~1% per mL/kg); real response varies — re-check coagulation tests after transfusion. Use thawed plasma within 6 hours.
Veterinary use only. The dog dose below must only be given by a licensed veterinarian following veterinary transfusion protocol.
~150 mL per HEMOPET product spec. Check your veterinary blood bank.
HEMOPET: do not exceed 4–6 mL/min.
Dog FFP dose (veterinary)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the standard FFP dose for adults?
Guidelines generally recommend 10 to 15 mL of fresh frozen plasma per kg of body weight for factor replacement, with 15 mL per kg often cited as the usual recommended dose. For a 70 kg adult that is 700 to 1050 mL. Massive bleeding protocols may use 15 to 20 mL per kg. This tool is an educational estimator, not a prescription — follow your institution's transfusion protocol and the prescribing physician.
How many FFP units does a dose equal?
One human FFP unit is typically 200 to 250 mL, but volumes vary between blood banks (roughly 150 to 300 mL and sometimes more). Divide the dose volume by your unit volume and round UP, since a thawed unit cannot be split. Example: 70 kg at 12.5 mL per kg gives 875 mL, which is about 4 units at 220 mL each. Always confirm your blood bank's actual unit volume before calculating.
How much does FFP raise clotting factor levels?
Roughly 12.5 mL per kg has been reported to raise factors II, VII, IX and X by about 8 to 16 percent, so a rough rule of thumb is around 1 percent per mL per kg. The therapeutic goal is generally to achieve at least 30 percent of normal factor activity. Real response varies between patients — shortening of PT/INR or aPTT after transfusion is not reliably predictable, so clinicians re-check coagulation tests after dosing.
How fast should FFP be infused?
A commonly cited rate is 2 to 3 mL per kg per hour, and thawed plasma should be transfused within 6 hours of thawing. In acute bleeding, plasma is infused as rapidly as clinically tolerated rather than at a fixed slow rate. Follow the rate ordered by the treating physician.
What dose of FFP is used for warfarin reversal?
A lower dose of 5 to 8 mL per kg is usually considered sufficient for urgent warfarin reversal. However, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is preferred over FFP for warfarin reversal when available, because it is faster, more effective, and lower in volume.
What is the FFP dose for dogs?
Dogs with bleeding from factor deficiency generally receive at least 6 to 10 mL per kg, up to about 20 mL per kg for severe deficiency. A canine FFP unit is around 150 mL of total fluid volume per the HEMOPET product specification, but volumes differ between veterinary blood banks. The FFP rate cited by HEMOPET is not to exceed 4 to 6 mL per minute. FFP in animals must only be given by a licensed veterinarian.
When should FFP NOT be used?
FFP should not be used for simple volume expansion, as a nutritional supplement, to correct mildly abnormal laboratory results without bleeding, or prophylactically in stable patients without active bleeding or a high bleeding risk. Transfusion decisions should be guided by clinical signs and, where possible, serial coagulation tests.
Does FFP need to be crossmatched or blood-typed?
FFP does not require crossmatching, but it should be ABO-compatible with the recipient's red blood cells. If the recipient's blood type is unknown, group AB plasma is used as the universal plasma type.
How is FFP stored and how long does thawed FFP last?
FFP is stored frozen at or below -18 C, with a typical shelf life of up to one year. Once thawed, it should be used within 6 hours (ideally within 2 hours) to preserve clotting factor activity, and it cannot be refrozen.
Why does this calculator round the number of units up?
Because you can only thaw and transfuse whole units. A 70 kg patient at 12.5 mL per kg needs 875 mL; at 220 mL per unit that is 3.98 units, which becomes 4 whole units. Rounding down would under-dose the patient. The tool also shows the actual infused volume after rounding up.
Clinical references (primary sources)
- Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland — Blood transfusion and the anaesthetist: recommended FFP dose 15 mL/kg.
- Clinical review: Fresh frozen plasma in massive bleedings (Critical Care) — usual dose 15–20 mL/kg aiming to raise clotting factors above 30%.
- Blood Component Transfusion Guide, ch. 2 — 10–15 mL/kg achieves a minimum of 30% of normal plasma clotting factor concentration; warfarin reversal 5–8 mL/kg.
- AABB guidance (via Danbury Hospital study) — dose 15 mL/kg; unit volume 200–250 mL; transfuse within 6 hours at 2–3 mL/kg/h.
- NZ Blood Service transfusion guide — FFP 180–340 mL per unit, usual dose 12–15 mL/kg.
- Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis — 12.5 mL/kg FFP raises factors II, VII, IX and X by 8–16%.
- British Committee for Standards in Haematology — shortening of prolonged clotting times after FFP is unpredictable; re-check tests.
- WSAVA 2014 / VIN — dogs and cats with factor-deficiency bleeding need 6–10 mL/kg, up to 20 mL/kg.
- HEMOPET canine FFP product sheet — dose 10 mL/kg, rate not exceeding 4–6 mL/min; unit ≈ 125 mL plasma + 25 mL anticoagulant (≈150 mL total fluid).
- dvm360 (Surgery STAT: hemoabdomen) — FFP for coagulopathic dogs at a starting dose of 6–10 mL/kg.
Sources were used to verify the dose constants baked into this calculator. URLs: