BLOOD TRANSFUSION: ADMINISTERING CRYOPRECIPITATE

Course overview

Transfusion of cryoprecipitate (CP; also referred to as cryoprecipitated antihemophiliac factor) refers to I.V. administration of a blood component that is derived from plasma and contains fibrinogen and clotting factors VIII, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and factor XIII. CP is administered to control bleeding in patients with conditions that result in deficiencies of certain clotting factors; this includes individuals with hemophilia A (results in deficiency of factor VIII), von Willebrand’s disease (deficiency of vWF), hypofibrinogenemia (deficiency of fibrinogen), and Factor XIII deficiency. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of cryoprecipitate transfusion. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.