CRYOGLOBULINEMIA

Course overview

CRYOGLOBULINS ARE PROTEINS THAT PRECIPITATE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL’S SERUM OR PLASMA AT TEMPERATURES LOWER THAN 37°C. THEY CAN BE A MIXTURE OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN (IG) AND COMPLEMENT COMPONENTS OR IMMUNOGLOBULINS ALONE. THESE CRYOGLOBULINS DEPOSIT IN MEDIUM AND LARGE-SIZED BLOOD VESSELS THROUGHOUT THE BODY, CAUSING ENDOTHELIAL INJURY AND END-ORGAN DAMAGE KNOWN AS CRYOGLOBULINEMIA. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CRYOGLOBULINEMIA AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.