A Method for Preparing Plasma Factor VIII (Antihemophilic Globulin) Concentrate

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Abstract
A simple freeze-thaw cryo-globulin method for preparing plasma factor-VIII concentrate is described. Plasma for processing was obtained by plasmapheresis from a small group of donors of blood group-AB who had high normal levels of factor-VIII. The hepatitis risk is greatly diminished because of repeated use of the same donors. In-vitro assay of this preparation demonstrated factor-VIII activity 13-17 times greater than equal amounts of normal human plasma. Studies of patients with classical hemophilia treated with the concentrate indicate that the plasma factor VIII elevation from one unit (10-15 ml) of this material is equivalent to that achieved with 150-200 ml of fresh or fresh-frozen plasma. The supernatant plasma remaining after the removal of the cryoprecipitate may be used for treatment of other coagulation defects, or as a volume expander.