Plasma

Canadian Blood Services produces different types of plasma, including:

frozen plasma (FP)
apheresis frozen plasma, psoralen-treated.

FP can be derived through whole blood or apheresis collection, while apheresis frozen plasma, psoralen-treated is currently derived from apheresis collection; both component types are shipped frozen to hospitals. For information on solvent detergent plasma (S/D plasma) please refer to Canadian Blood Services’ publication on Solvent detergent (S/D) treated plasma (Octaplasma).

As of April 1, 2025, production of cryosupernatant plasma (CSP) was discontinued by Canadian Blood Services. CSP will be available until the current inventory is depleted, which is estimated to be depleted by April 1, 2026. For more information, please see customer letter CL_2025-02 in the customer letter database.

There are several conditions or characteristics that are associated with a change in the appearance of plasma units. Whether or not a blood component is suitable for transfusion is determined by local hospital policy and procedures.

An example of a typical unit of plasma manufactured from whole blood photographed after thawing.

A unit of plasma viewed from the back. — An example of a typical unit of plasma manufactured from whole blood photographed after thawing (unit viewed from the back).

A unit of plasma viewed from the front. — An example of a typical unit of apheresis plasma photographed after thawing.

A unit of plasma photographed prior to thawing (viewed from the front).. — An example of a typical unit of apheresis plasma photographed prior to thawing.

A unit of plasma viewed from the front and pictured frozen. — An example of a typical unit of cryosupernatant plasma, pictured frozen.

A unit of plasma viewed from the back and pictured frozen. — An example of a typical unit of cryosupernatant plasma, pictured frozen and viewed from the back.

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