Use of cryoprecipitate

Indications

Cryoprecipitate is used in major haemorrhage protocols to replace fibrinogen and in the treatment of fibrinogen deficiency or dysfibrinogenaemia when there is clinical bleeding, an invasive procedure, trauma or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Refer to the National Blood Authority’s Patient Blood Management Guidelines and other evidence-based clinical guidelines for specific guidance to support clinical decisions about appropriate transfusion practices and the use of blood components.  

When is cryoprecipitate not indicated?

Do not use cryoprecipitate to treat congenital afibrinogenemia or dysfibrinogenemia, haemophilia, von Willebrand’s disease or factor deficiencies where specific factor concentrates are available.

Modifications

None.

Content

Cryoprecipitate contains most of the original factor VIII, fibrinogen, factor XIII, von Willebrand factor and fibronectin found in FFP.

Dosage

Adult dosing
In Australia, the NBA Patient blood management guideline for adults with critical bleeding recommends an adult dose of fibrinogen of 3 - 4 g of fibrinogen, which may be achieved by using: 
•    9 units of whole blood cryoprecipitate or 
•    9 units of split apheresis cryoprecipitate or
•    a combination of these as both unit types are equivalent and interchangeable. 
The volume transfused depends on the clinical situation and patient size, and should be guided by laboratory assays of coagulation function.

Paediatric dosing
Patient blood management guidelines: Module 6 Neonatal and Paediatrics provide dosing guidance within the Critical Bleeding Protocol template for Infants and Children. The locally adapted health service Critical Bleeding Protocol and other relevant transfusion guidelines (specific to the particular patient group) should be referred to, and expert advice should be sought. 

Updated April 2026