Clotting factors in supernatant plasma following cryoprecipitation

The supernatant plasma which remains after cryoprecipitation is a useful component for transfusion therapy. However, from prior studies it was unclear how well plasma clotting factors were preserved following cryoprecipitation. Coagulation factor assays were performed on fresh plasma, supematant plasma after removal of cryoprecipitate, and the same supernatant plasma following refreezing and thawing. Factor VIII and fibrinogen levels fell considerably after removal of cryoprecipitate, but there was also a significant decline in factor V. Refreezing and thawing the supernatant plasma had little effect on clotting factors.