CRYOPRECIPITATE: Cryoprecipitate is a source of Factors VIII:c (procoagulant activity), VIII:vWF (von Willebrand Factor), XIII and fibrinogen and is used to treat the conditions listed in the next Table:

Conditions Treated with Cryoprecipitate

• Factor Deficiency
• Factor XIII Deficiency
• Hemophilia A (Factor VIII Deficiency) (Factor VIII concentrate preferred)
• von Willebrand's Disease (generally replaced by factor concentrates)
• Hypofibrinogenemic States e.g., Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy

Cryoprecipitate contains 200-300 mg of fibrinogen, 80 to 120 units of Factor VIII:c; 40-60U of Factor XIII and 80U of von Willebrand's factor; 1 mL of normal plasma contains 1 unit of Factor VIII activity.

Empiric rule for treatment of hypofibrinogenemia is one bag of cryoprecipitate per 6 kg of body weight. Empiric rule for treatment of von Willebrand disease is one bag of cryoprecipitate per 10 kg of body weight. In children, one bag per 6 kg raises fibrinogen 75-100 mg/dL and VIII:c by 30-40%.

Most factor deficiencies are replaced by specific products.

Side effects of cryoprecipitate include febrile and allergic reactions. There may be some risk of transmission of parvovirus B19 and prions. Cryoprecipitate may be stored for 1 year at -20°C or below and requires 15 minutes to thaw in a 37°C water bath.