FV, FVIII and Fibrinogen Activity in Fresh Frozen Plasma, Frozen Plasma and Cryoprecipitate: Observational Cross-sectional Study

Objective: Studies proved that storing whole blood overnight at 4°C resulted in a decrease in the activity of coagulation factor FVIII, without significant loss of activity of coagulation factors FV or fibrinogen. This study is conducted to compare the activity of labile factors V and VIII as well as fibrinogen level in FFP with that of FP24 and to assess their levels in cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant bags as well.

Materials and Methods: FFP bags separated from whole blood within 8 hours were compared to FP24 bags separated within 24 hours, cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant after phlebotomy in terms of coagulation factors V and VIII activity and level of fibrinogen by standard methods using (automated coagulometer STA Compact, Stago, France).

Results: A statistically significant loss of factor VIII activity in FP24 compared to FFP was detected; while, the fall in activity of factor V and fibrinogen level was not statistically significant. A highly statistically significant difference was elicited regarding factor VIII, factor V and fibrinogen when comparing cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant samples. On comparing FFP and cryoprecipitate regarding factor VIII, factor V and fibrinogen a highly statistically significant difference was elicited.

Conclusion: The retention in factor activities, in particular factor V, in FP, indicates the lack of relevant adverse changes when extending the hold period for plasma units. The reduction in factor VIII activity doesn’t reduce the quality of FP.