[New aspects of blood component therapy]

The medical demand for factor VIII is increasing through continuously improved therapy of patients suffering from haemophilia A. The most important raw material for the production of factor VIII is fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Its clinical usage increased in the last few years dramatically. An alternative to FFP is the high grade blood component cryo-poor plasma (CPP). CPP is characterized by a deficiency of factor VIII and fibrinogen which is not of clinical relevance. It can be used instead of FFP in 95% of cases. Thus, FFP is more available for the production of factor VIII and the supply of factor VIII for haemophiliacs will improve.