Plasma is the liquid, non-cellular part of blood which makes up approximately 55% of its total volume. Cellular components suspended in plasma make up the remaining 45%. What does plasma consist of and what functions does it perform?

Plasma , being a component of blood, helps it fulfill a number of basic functions for the organism's existence.The functions of blood plasmainclude the distribution of oxygen, nutrients and the removal of metabolic products, which allows the efficient operation of this complex factory, which is our body. In addition, plasma, and especially the proteins dissolved in it, are responsible for maintaining an appropriate osmotic pressure in the body.

Maintaining the acid-base balance would be impossible without anions, cations and buffers for which the main carrier is plasma. Plasma clotting factors are a pillar of the hemostasis process - the process of stopping bleeding in the event that we cut ourselves or the continuity of our blood vessels is broken in some other way.

What does plasma consist of?

Plasma constitutes as much as 5% of our body weight, which in the case of an average adult weighing approx. 70 kg will be almost 3.5 liters of fluid (the average density of plasma is approx. 1025 kg / m23 ).

By analyzing the composition of plasma, we find that as much as 90% is water, while only 10% are substances dissolved in it. We include organic compounds such as proteins: albumin, immunoglobulins or some coagulation factors. The others are sugars, vitamins, and enzymes.

About 1% of plasma consists of inorganic compounds, incl. metal ions (Na +, Cl, K +, Ca2 +, Mg2 +), phosphate and bicarbonate ions (maintaining the acid-base balance of the system) as well as nitrogen compounds (urea and creatinine).

As I mentioned before, the cellular components of our blood are suspended in the plasma. The cellular elements include erythrocytes (popularly known as red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets). Due to the fact that erythrocytes constitute the most numerous group of cells, their percentage by volume is determined and called hematocrit (the name comes from heme, i.e. iron that gives red blood cells to erythrocytes).

How is plasma formed and what it is forused?

After downloading the so-called donated whole blood is centrifuged. This way, we obtain approx. 200 ml of plasma. For this purpose, the automatic plasmapheresis method is also used, with its help, using specialized separators, the amount of plasma obtained is greater. Then the obtained plasma is subjected to virological examination, so that it can be given to the patient without fear.

Interestingly, when frozen quickly and stored below -30 ° C, FFP (fresh frozen plasma) can be stored for up to 2 years.

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) , unlike serum, is not depleted of fibrinogen, so it contains all the clotting factors. Thanks to this, the plasma, which will not be used, can be used to produce other plasma-derived drugs, e.g.

  • albumin, used, inter alia, in in states of protein deficiency
  • clotting factor concentrates used in the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding in patients with bleeding disorders, e.g. factor VIII used in people with hemophilia
  • immunoglobulins used, incl. in the treatment of immune-related diseases such as: common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), etc.
  • in states of immunodeficiency, in the prevention of Rh-conflict in pregnant women

It is worth emphasizing that many of these drugs cannot be obtained by any other route than from the plasma of he althy donors.

To whom and when do we give the plasma?

We use plasma and plasma-derived drugs, among others :

  • in patients suffering from plasma diathesis which may be primary, congenital, secondary or acquired. We include here, among others hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease, fibrinogen deficiency, factor XIII deficiency and many more
  • when treating massive shocks associated with bleeding disorders
  • during hemorrhages
  • under treatment for DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome
  • to control coagulation disorders accompanying massive burns of the body
  • for patients suffering from advanced liver diseases (cirrhosis, poisoning, cancer) resulting in coagulation disorders
  • and many more

Plasma functions

As I mentioned at the beginning, plasma is a component of blood and acts as a carrier for its morphotic elements. Erythrocytes, drugs and platelets can move around our body thanks to the liquid part of the blood.

Transport of proteins, glucose, productsmetabolism, carbon dioxide, lipids, hormones is also the role of plasma. Proteins contained in the plasma (albumin) allow to maintain a constant osmotic pressure, and soluble ions and buffering systems protect the acid-base balance.

Plasma components of the coagulation system are responsible for the blood clotting process and protection of our body against bleeding out in the event of injury (interruption of blood vessels).

Interestingly, even oxygen - although the vast majority of it is transported thanks to hemoglobin contained in erythrocytes, about 1.5-3% (of its total amount in the blood) is physically dissolved in plasma.

Important

Become a donor!

Plasma (so-called fresh frozen plasma), as well as whole blood, red blood cell concentrate and other blood products (and there are plenty of them: red blood cell concentrate, platelet cell concentrate, granular concentrate, cryoprecipitate, etc.) are examples of drugs which, despite the enormous development of our science, we still do not produce in a completely artificial way in a laboratory.

The demand for blood products is growing year by year, and despite the efforts of scientists, so far it has not been possible to invent a preparation that would allow a complete replacement of blood. The only way to obtain it is from voluntary donors. Hence, so often appeals of regional blood donation centers, advertising campaigns and campaigns in which famous people, athletes and actors urge people to donate blood. Being an Honorary Blood Donor, apart from the sheer satisfaction of helping others, brings with it several privileges. So I strongly encourage you to take a closer look at this issue.

Category:

Cardiology