What Is Cryoprecipitate? Why Is It Important?
Cryoprecipitated Antihemophilic Factor, also called cryo, is a portion of plasma, the liquid part of our blood. Cryo is rich in clotting factors, which are proteins that can reduce blood loss by helping to slow or stop bleeding.
The blood clotting proteins found in cryo include:
- Fibrinogen
- Factor VIII
- Factor XIII
- Von Willebrand factor
Learn more about blood plasma – what it is, how it’s used and how to donate
What Is Cryo in Blood?
Cryo is used to prevent or control bleeding in people whose own blood does not clot properly. This includes patients with serious but rare hereditary conditions such as Hemophilia A (who lack factor VIII) and von Willebrand disease (who lack von Willebrand factor).
Cryo is also a source of fibrinogen for patients who cannot produce the necessary amount of this important clotting protein on their own.
Why Would a Person Be Given a Cryo Transfusion?
A patient may be given a cryo transfusion if they have low levels of any of the clotting proteins it contains. Low levels of clotting proteins put the patient at risk of severe or uncontrolled bleeding.
Unlike other blood components, synthetic (man-made) versions have been developed for several of the clotting factors found in cryo. Some physicians prefer to use these synthetic proteins when they are available. Today, cryo obtained from donated plasma is most commonly given to patients who need fibrinogen.
How Do You Donate Cryo?
Cryo-only donations are not possible. Cryo is prepared from donated plasma. The plasma is first frozen and then it is slowly thawed. Cryo is the insoluble portion, or precipitate, that remains when the liquid portion of the plasma drains away. The precipitate is collected and then combined with contributions from other donors until it reaches a sufficient volume for transfusion. It can be stored for up to a year.
Why AB Plasma Donations Are So Important
The Red Cross collects plasma donations from people with type AB blood [CW1] because AB plasma can be given to patients of any blood type. We also use this rare and precious plasma to produce cryo. This means that if you are type AB, your plasma donation may help a burn, trauma or cancer patient, or it may provide critical support to a person with a serious hereditary blood disorder. In either case, you should consider yourself a hero because your donation may have helped save someone’s life.
Do you have AB blood type? Learn about making an AB Elite plasma donation.
