ABSTRACT
The conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin is a process that has long fascinated an army of researchers. In this brief review some early break-through observations are noted and a few later unexpected results described.
Subject(s)
Blood Coagulation/physiology , Factor XIII/metabolism , Fibrin/metabolism , Fibrinogen/metabolism , Thrombin/metabolism , Animals , Ciona intestinalis/chemistry , Ciona intestinalis/physiology , Factor XIII/chemistry , Factor XIII/history , Fibrin/chemistry , Fibrin/history , Fibrinogen/chemistry , Fibrinogen/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Models, Molecular , Phase Transition , Proteolysis , Static Electricity , Thrombin/chemistry , Thrombin/historyABSTRACT
Cryoprecipitate is an allogeneic blood product prepared from human plasma. It contains factors VIII, von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, fibronectin and factor XIII. Its use was first described in the 1960s for treatment of patients with factor VIII deficiency. It has also been used to treat patients with congenital hypofibrinogenaemia. Now, the most common use of cryoprecipitate is fibrinogen replacement in patients with acquired hypofibrinogenaemia and bleeding. Despite almost 50 years of use, evidence of efficacy is limited. This review provides an overview of the history of cryoprecipitate use, the current debates on the use of this product and future developments.
