Variables Involved in Cryoprecipitate Production and their Effect on Factor VIII Activity

Summary. The Regional Transfusion Centres in England and Wales have studied the following variables in the preparation of cryoprecipitate: blood group of the donor, choice of anticoagulant (ACD or CPD), conditions of freezing, thawing and centrifugation of the plasma and age of the starting plasma. Mean factor VIII activity in cryoprecipitates derived from group A plasma was significantly higher than from group O plasma. CPD may lead to increased potency of factor VIII when freshly collected plasma is used to prepare cryoprecipitates; rapidity of thawing may also be advantageous. None of the other variables studied produced significant effects on the factor VIII activity of the cryoprecipitates and particular attention has been drawn to the results of experiments concerned with the age of starting plasma.