Research Note: Vitamin K-Dependent Coagulopathy: Is Canine Cryopoor Plasma a Viable Treatment?

Anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion is a common toxicosis in veterinary medicine. This in vitro study investigated whether cryopoor plasma (CPP) was as effective as fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in reversing vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy in canine plasma. CPP contains albumin and clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X in amounts similar to FFP. In this experimental model, canine FFP was adsorbed by barium sulfate to mimic vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy. A sequential mixing study in which either FPP or CPP was added to the depleted plasma was then performed. Clotting times, fibrinogen, and coagulation factor activity were measured and compared between the FFP and CPP groups. A dose-dependent decrease was found in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time when either FFP or CPP was added. Factor VII activity increased significantly more with CPP than FFP. The authors concluded that CPP may be a viable alternative to FPP, pending in vivo studies.