Thesis (MTech(Medical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 1997 / Cryoprecipitates are used as the raw material for the preparation of Factor VIII
(FVIIIl) for replacement therapy for haemophiliacs. Routinely, cryoprecipitate only
recovers 50% of the Factor VIII in the plasma. The purpose of this study,
production of cryoprecipitate, was to investigate those variables which play a key
role in determining the yield of Factor VIII present in cryoprecipitate.
Cryoprecipitate production involves a wide range of variables which could effect
the final outcome of the product. These vary from the donor blood group, time of
donation, exercise levels of the donor, to a time delay prior to processing,
temperature storage conditions, to the method utilised for plasma freezing and
thawing. The objective was to explore which combination of variables in the
procedure would lead to a process which would optimize the preparation of
cryoprecipitate in a routine environment, to yield the highest levels of Factor VIII.
Frequently in scientific investigations, particularly when a practical approach has
to be adopted, questions arise in which the effects of a number of different
variables in a process, require evaluation. Such questions can usually be most
economically investigated, by arranging the analysis according to an ordered plan
in which all the factors are viewed in a regular way. Provided the plan has been
correctly chosen, it is possible to determine not only the effect of each individual
variable, but also the way in which each effect depends on the other factor, by
means of an interaction. This makes it possible to obtain a more complete picture
of what is happening, than would have been obtained by varying each of the
variables one at a time while keeping the others constant. Designs of this sort lend
themselves well to statistical analysis, and provide their own estimates of
experimental error. This type of statistical analysis called, 2K Fractional Factorial
Experimental Design, forms the basis of this study in which 14 key variables in the
production process of cryoprecipitate were defined as possible areas in which
Factor VIII levels in the cryoprecipitate are effected.
Key variables have been identified on an individual basis in previous studies (Burka
et al., 1975), however this blended approach to optimise the key variables within
the production environment, and define further combinations which could be
incorporated into the production, has never been attempted.
The statistical design used in the study was compiled by the Institute for
Biostatistics of the Medical Research Council (MRC). Units of blood were collected
and processed, from blood donors under the stipulated criteria, corresponding to
the study design.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/1468 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Collette, Carol Joan |
| Publisher | Cape Technikon |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/ |
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