A quicker preparation method for autologous fibrin glue

To establish a quicker preparation procedure for cryoprecipitate (Cryo) from a patient's autologous plasma, to be used as fibrin glue, we examined the effects of various conditions on the concentrations and yields of coagulation factors in Cryo. Human plasma from healthy volunteers was divided and treated under various freezing, shaking and defrosting conditions. The concentrations of fibrinogen, plasminogen, fibronectin, and factor XIII in Cryo were then measured. Results were as follows: (1) concentrations and yields of plasma components in Cryo obtained from plasma stored at -20 degrees C were significantly higher than those in Cryo from plasma stored at -80 degrees C; (2) shaking at 70 cycles/min during the freezing process had a favorable effect on the concentrations and yields of coagulation factors in the Cryo; (3) a shaking thaw process in a cold water bath was a rapid method for obtaining adequate yields of coagulation factors; (4) shaking in the defrosting process did not affect the yields of coagulation factors. These results indicated that Cryo containing high concentrations of coagulation factors could be prepared easily and rapidly from a patient's autologous plasma (within 4-5 h).