Porcine plasma was first used to treat a patient in 1954. Read more about Porcine plasma was first used to treat a patient in 1954.
In an article Dr Biggs said: "Cryoprecipitate is a simple concentrate made from plasma at all Regional Transfusion Centres. Cryoprecipitate is much superior to plasma for the treatment of haemophilia A patients but the material is very variable from one sample to another and the potency cannot be known before it is used." Read more about In an article Dr Biggs said: "Cryoprecipitate is a simple concentrate made from plasma at all Regional Transfusion Centres. Cryoprecipitate is much superior to plasma for the treatment of haemophilia A patients but the material is very variable from one sample to another and the potency cannot be known before it is used."
In his oral evidence, Dr Winter agreed that whilst cryoprecipitate was more laborious to use, it could be used, and had been used, to raise Factor 8 levels. Side effects were for the most part transient. Read more about In his oral evidence, Dr Winter agreed that whilst cryoprecipitate was more laborious to use, it could be used, and had been used, to raise Factor 8 levels. Side effects were for the most part transient.
A letter from Professor Bloom and Dr Rizza to Haemophilia centre directors stated that many directors reserved supplies of cryoprecipitate for the treatment of children. Read more about A letter from Professor Bloom and Dr Rizza to Haemophilia centre directors stated that many directors reserved supplies of cryoprecipitate for the treatment of children.
In his written evidence, Dr Winter identified a number of disadvantages to cryoprecipitate: including that it was less effective clinically than concentrate, it was laborious to reconstitute, it had to be stored in deep freeze and was therefore not suitable for home treatment; and it caused side effects. Read more about In his written evidence, Dr Winter identified a number of disadvantages to cryoprecipitate: including that it was less effective clinically than concentrate, it was laborious to reconstitute, it had to be stored in deep freeze and was therefore not suitable for home treatment; and it caused side effects.
From around 1968, Factor 8 concentrate was produced under the aegis of the Lister Institute at Elstree and Oxford and by the Blood Products Unit in Edinburgh (renamed the Protein Fractionation Centre in 1970). Read more about From around 1968, Factor 8 concentrate was produced under the aegis of the Lister Institute at Elstree and Oxford and by the Blood Products Unit in Edinburgh (renamed the Protein Fractionation Centre in 1970).
A common side effect of treatment for haemophilia A was the development of Factor 8 inhibitors. People with haemophilia B and type 3 von Willebrand disorder could also develop inhibitors, though less frequently. Read more about A common side effect of treatment for haemophilia A was the development of Factor 8 inhibitors. People with haemophilia B and type 3 von Willebrand disorder could also develop inhibitors, though less frequently.
Cryoprecipitate remained in constant use for treating von Willebrand disorder. Read more about Cryoprecipitate remained in constant use for treating von Willebrand disorder.
Russell's viper venom (Stypven), at a dilution of one in a million, was used in the 1930s as topical treatment for acute bleeds. It was of limited use as it could not be used systemically (into a vein) because it was toxic. Read more about Russell's viper venom (Stypven), at a dilution of one in a million, was used in the 1930s as topical treatment for acute bleeds. It was of limited use as it could not be used systemically (into a vein) because it was toxic.
The availability of plastics in the 1950s enabled the collection of large volumes (gallons) of porcine and bovine blood from slaughter houses. These were transported to the laboratory in Oxford where plasma was separated, fractionated into components and freeze dried. In 1954, these products were available for clinical use. Read more about The availability of plastics in the 1950s enabled the collection of large volumes (gallons) of porcine and bovine blood from slaughter houses. These were transported to the laboratory in Oxford where plasma was separated, fractionated into components and freeze dried. In 1954, these products were available for clinical use.