A research team at the University Medical Center Greifswald has developed a universally applicable blood plasma for all blood groups. The procedure has been approved by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut as the higher federal authority for medicines and is intended to reduce bottlenecks in emergency care in the future.

Plasma transfusions are a standard treatment for patients with high blood loss. Until now, the reserves had to match the patient’s blood group. Hospitals must therefore keep stocks of all blood groups ready. Especially in emergencies with unknown blood type, this can lead to delays.

The new Greifswald plasma, “Frozen Isoagglutinin-Depleted Fresh Plasma”, is produced by removing the problematic antibodies (isoagglutinins) from plasma of blood groups A, B and 0. The antibodies are bound to a few red blood cells and then removed from the plasma together with them. The result is a universally compatible plasma.

So far, there has only been one other procedure of this kind in the world. According to the developers, the Greifswald process is significantly faster and more cost-effective. It is intended to be used primarily in emergency medicine for unknown blood groups and to improve the availability of plasma.

Plasma of blood group AB is universally applicable by nature, as it does not contain antibodies. However, with a share of only about four percent in the population, it is very rare.

“We want to avoid bottlenecks, especially in emergencies,” explained Konstanze Aurich from the Institute of Transfusion Medicine at the University Medical Center Greifswald, and: “We have now received approval from the higher federal authority for medicines, the Paul Ehrlich Institute, and can now use the universal plasma to care for patients in emergencies very quickly.” The University Medical Center is now preparing to introduce the procedure into routine operation.

Prof. Karlhans Endlich, Scientific Director of the University Medical Center Greifswald, described the procedure as simple, inexpensive and with great potential for emergency care worldwide.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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