The contribution of platelets in the production of cryoprecipitates for use in a fibrin glue

Abstract

Cryoprecipitate has a wide application for use as a fibrin glue. In some situations, platelets are added to the preparation in order to enhance the fibrin glue. Fresh plasma was collected by apheresis from the same donor to produce 250 ml of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-poor plasma (PPP) (n = 12 each). Cryoprecipitate was then produced following the standards of the American Association of Blood Banks and resuspended to a total volume of 8 ml, from which aliquots were removed and assayed. Clot formation was measured using the thromboelastogram. The protein content of the two preparations was identical for PRP and PPP. Results for fibrinogen (PPP 475 +/- 220 mg; PRP 399 +/- 215 mg), Factor VIII (PPP 186 +/- 67 IU; PRP 175 +/- 70 IU) and von Willebrand Factor (PPP 260 +/- 104 IU; PRP 221 +/- 88 IU) were not significantly different. The concentration of platelet-derived growth factor was markedly higher (a 100-fold increase at 3778 +/- 1036 ng) when platelets were added to the plasma. There was a small, but not statistically significant, difference in the rate of clot formation (R = 2.3 for PPP and 3.8 for PRP) and clot strength (MA = 63.4 for PPP and 56.6 for PRP) between PPP and PRP cryoprecipitates when measured using the thromboelastogram. Platelets do not significantly increase the concentration of the usual constituents of cryoprecipitate; however, the levels of platelet-derived growth factor are markedly enhanced. Therefore, there are advantages for using PRP to enhance the growth of new tissue.