Comparison of cryoprecipitate with fibrinogen concentrate for acquired hypofibrinogenaemia.
BACKGROUND
The benefits of fibrinogen concentrate in hypofibrinogenaemia have been established in congenital and has been used in acquired disorders. Most European countries have already changed their practice, using fibrinogen concentrate.


METHODS
We compared the use of fibrinogen concentrate in acquired hypofibrinogenaemia to cryoprecipitate, which continues to be the standard of care in the UK. We undertook a retrospective analysis of fibrinogen increment in patients treated for acquired hypofibrinogenaemia.


RESULTS
Sixty four transfusion episodes receiving cryoprecipitate and 36 episodes receiving fibrinogen concentrate were compared. The median increment following 10 donor pools (two bags) of cryoprecipitate was 0.26 g/l, compared to 0.44 g/l following 2g of fibrinogen concentrate.


CONCLUSIONS
With its superior safety profile from infectious diseases, this provides further evidence to support the use of fibrinogen concentrate.
Blood Transfusion, Department of Pathology, UCLH, London, UK.
A
A
Theodoulou
J
J
Berryman
A
A
Nathwani
M
M
Scully
D000347:Afibrinogenemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom
C026912:cryoprecipitate coagulum; D005169:Factor VIII; D005340:Fibrinogen