Cryofibrinogenemia

Cryofibrinogenemia
SpecialtyPathology

Cryofibrinogenemia refers to a condition classified as a fibrinogen disorder in which a person's blood plasma is allowed to cool substantially (i.e. from its normal temperature of 37 °C to the near-freezing temperature of 4 °C), causing the (reversible) precipitation of a complex containing fibrinogen, fibrin, fibronectin, and, occasionally, small amounts of fibrin split products, albumin, immunoglobulins and other plasma proteins.

Return of plasma to more normal temperature resolubilizes the precipitate.[1][2] Cryofibrinogenemia may occur in individuals that have no obvious evidence of precipitate-induced tissue damage (asymptomatic cryofibrinogenemia), or in consequence of cryofibrinogen precipitation resulting in blood clots in small and medium size arteries and veins.

When occurring in association with another causal disease, cryofibrinogenemic disease is referred as secondary cryofibrinogenemia; in the absence of such an association, it is referred to as primary cryofibrinogenemia.

Purpura seen in cryofibrinogenemia may also be referred to as cryofibrinogenemic purpura.[3]

  1. ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.: 822 
  2. ^ Grada A, Falanga V (2017). "Cryofibrinogenemia-Induced Cutaneous Ulcers: A Review and Diagnostic Criteria". American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 18 (1): 97–104. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0228-y. PMID 27734332. S2CID 39645385.
  3. ^ Brungger, A.; Brulisauer, M.; Mitsuhashi, Y.; Schneider, B. V.; Bollinger, A.; Schnyder, U. W. (1987). "Cryofibrinogenemic purpura". Archives of Dermatological Research. 279 (S1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC: S24–S29. doi:10.1007/bf00585916. ISSN 0340-3696.