Cryofibrination: did it really happen?

Cryofibrin precipitation is a phenomenon which has only recently been described, although it might have been present since the advent of membrane oxygenators for cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. The deposition of the cold-reactive protein, cryofibrin, causes progressive occlusion of the heat-exchanger part of the cardiopulmonary circuit, thus leading to a high pressure-drop phenomenon. We describe our experience with a few cases in which the cryofibrination phenomenon developed while using the 'Avecor-Affinity Medtronic' membrane oxygenator.