Improved yields of factor VIII from heparinized plasma

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Biochemistry
• Blood Collection

Background:

• Factor VIII is crucial for blood coagulation.
• Current methods using citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) may limit Factor VIII recovery and stability.
• Optimizing blood collection techniques is essential for maximizing therapeutic protein yields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of heparin versus CPD on Factor VIII procoagulant activity.
• To assess the recovery and stability of Factor VIII in plasma, cryoprecipitate, and PEG precipitates.
• To determine the overall yield increase of Factor VIII using heparinized blood collection.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected using both heparin and CPD anticoagulants.
• Factor VIII procoagulant activity was measured in plasma, cryoprecipitate, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitates.
• Stability of Factor VIII was assessed after 24-hour incubation at 22°C.

Main Results:

• Heparinized plasma showed a 34% increase in initial Factor VIII activity compared to CPD plasma.
• Factor VIII stability was significantly improved in heparinized plasma (99% retained vs. 64% in CPD).
• Yields for PEG concentrates were substantially higher from heparinized plasma (128 U vs. 54 U from CPD), representing a 147% increase.

Conclusions:

• Blood collection using heparin markedly enhances Factor VIII procoagulant activity and stability.
• Heparin anticoagulation leads to significantly higher yields of Factor VIII in various blood fractions.
• This finding suggests heparin is a superior anticoagulant for preserving and maximizing Factor VIII recovery in transfusion medicine and hemophilia treatment.