Characteristics of thawed pooled cryoprecipitate stored at refrigerated temperature for 24 hours.

BACKGROUND: The need for thawed cryoprecipitate is growing. However, according to current guidelines, the shelf-life of pooled thawed cryoprecipitate at room temperature is limited because of possible bacterial contamination and loss of clotting factor activity. Here we assessed microbial growth and retention of clotting activity in cryoprecipitate stored at 4 °C after thawing to see whether its shelf life could be safely extended. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pooled thawed cryoprecipitate units (n=10) were maintained at room temperature for 6 hours and then placed at 1-6 °C for 18 hours after thawing. We examined the cryoprecipitate pools for fibrinogen, factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor activity at the following time points: 0 hours (immediately after thawing), after 6 hours at room temperature, and after 24 hours at 1-6 °C. A 5-mL aliquot from each pool was collected for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures at the 24-hour time point. RESULTS: Mean fibrinogen concentration and von Willebrand factor activity were similar at each time point, but factor VIII activity decreased significantly over the storage period. Bacterial growth was not detected in any cultured pooled sample. DISCUSSION: Extended storing of thawed cryoprecipitate at 1-6 °C does not appear to increase the risk of bacterial contamination or affect coagulation factor activity.