i-PRF vs A-PRF vs A-PRF+: Protocol Comparison for Clinicians

Introduction

PRF is not a single preparation — it is a family of protocols distinguished by centrifuge speed and time. The same additive-free PRF tube can produce a dense fibrin plug, a soft cell-rich matrix, or a liquid preparation, depending on the spin parameters used. The three families most often described in the published literature are standard PRF, A-PRF / A-PRF+, and i-PRF.

This article compares i-PRF, A-PRF and A-PRF+ on the variables that matter in practice — protocol parameters, matrix characteristics, and the clinical contexts in which each family is typically used — so you can match the preparation to the procedure.

1. Where the Three Families Come From

All three families start the same way: whole blood drawn into an additive-free PRF tube, then centrifuged once at low speed. What differs is the speed and duration of that spin, which changes how cells are distributed through the fibrin matrix as it forms:

• Higher speed pushes more cells toward the red-cell layer, producing a denser but less cell-rich matrix.
• Lower speed allows more leukocytes and platelets to remain distributed through the matrix as fibrin polymerizes.
• Very low speed, short time keeps the preparation fluid enough to remain injectable.

Because the tube is the same, switching between families is a matter of protocol — which is why documentation and centrifuge accuracy matter more than tube choice alone.

2. Head-to-Head Protocol Comparison

Parameter	Standard PRF	A-PRF / A-PRF+	i-PRF
Typical speed	~2,700 rpm	~1,300-1,500 rpm	~700 rpm
Typical time	~12 minutes	8-14 minutes	~3 minutes
Resulting form	Dense fibrin plug	Softer, cell-rich matrix	Liquid preparation
Cell distribution	Leukocytes concentrated near the red-cell side	More cells preserved through the matrix	Cells suspended in liquid
Typical use in the literature	Membranes, wound coverage	Soft-tissue regeneration protocols	Injection-type workflows

These are the parameters most commonly cited in published protocols. Always confirm the exact settings against your centrifuge model and the specific tube lot in use — rotor radius affects actual g-force at a given rpm, so a protocol stated in rpm on one machine may need adjustment on another.

3. i-PRF: The Injectable Family

i-PRF (injectable PRF, also called liquid PRF) is prepared at a very low speed for a short time — commonly around 700 rpm for about 3 minutes. At this setting the blood does not form a solid plug; it remains fluid, which makes it suitable for injection-type workflows described in the literature.

Practical points for i-PRF:

• Because the preparation stays liquid, it must be used within a short working window after centrifugation.
• The low-speed spin is gentler on cells, which is the rationale cited for this family.
• 10ml tubes are the common choice for i-PRF workflows.

4. A-PRF and A-PRF+: The Cell-Rich Middle Ground

A-PRF (advanced PRF) and A-PRF+ are prepared at lower speeds than standard PRF — commonly around 1,300-1,500 rpm for 8-14 minutes. The lower speed is intended to preserve more leukocytes and platelets within the matrix as the fibrin forms, producing a softer, more cell-rich preparation than standard PRF.

Practical points for A-PRF / A-PRF+:

• The softer matrix handles differently from a dense standard-PRF plug — it is typically used directly or gently compressed.
• A-PRF+ is a later iteration of the A-PRF protocol; check the specific protocol publication you are following for exact settings.
• As with all PRF families, delay between draw and centrifugation should be minimized.

5. Standard PRF: The Dense Workhorse

Standard PRF — around 2,700 rpm for about 12 minutes — produces the dense fibrin plug most often associated with PRF membranes. It remains the most widely described family in oral surgery and wound-coverage applications.

For clinics that want one protocol that covers the majority of membrane workflows, standard PRF is the usual starting point; 15ml tubes are commonly used where larger matrices are needed.

6. Which Family Should You Choose?

Match the family to the workflow, not the other way around:

If your workflow needs...	Start with
A dense matrix that can be shaped into a membrane	Standard PRF (~2,700 rpm / ~12 min)
A softer, cell-rich matrix for regenerative protocols	A-PRF / A-PRF+ (~1,300-1,500 rpm)
A liquid preparation for injection-type use	i-PRF (~700 rpm / ~3 min)

Whichever family you run, the tube requirement is the same: an additive-free PRF tube that fits your centrifuge. VivaPRP PET PRF tubes are available in 10ml, 12ml and 15ml — see the PRF tube collection — and our centrifuge range includes low-speed desktop models sized for 10-15ml tubes. For the full preparation sequence, read our step-by-step PRF protocol guide; for the fundamentals, start with what PRF tubes are.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between i-PRF and A-PRF?

They differ in centrifuge speed and time. i-PRF is prepared at a very low speed (~700 rpm / ~3 min) and remains liquid for injection-type workflows; A-PRF uses lower speeds than standard PRF (~1,300-1,500 rpm) to preserve more cells in a softer matrix. Settings vary by literature and equipment.

Is A-PRF+ different from A-PRF?

A-PRF+ is a later iteration of the A-PRF protocol family. The exact difference is defined in the specific published protocol you follow — always confirm settings against your centrifuge and tube lot.

Can one tube type produce all PRF families?

Yes. Because the tube is additive-free, the family is determined by centrifugation parameters, not by the tube. One PRF tube size can support multiple protocols — which is why documenting your spin settings is essential for consistency.

What size PRF tube is best for i-PRF?

10ml is the common choice for i-PRF workflows. 12ml and 15ml tubes are more often used for standard PRF matrices where larger volumes are needed.

Disclaimer: This article is educational content only and not medical advice. Protocol parameters are as commonly cited in published literature and vary by equipment, tube lot and clinical setting — verify settings before use and follow applicable regulations.

VivaPRP supplies CE-marked, additive-free PRF tubes in 10ml, 12ml and 15ml, manufactured under ISO 13485. For documentation, wholesale or OEM enquiries, contact our team.