Von Willebrand disease
Von-Willebrand is a bleeding disorder which affects the clotting mechanism in the body. During injury excess of bleeding occurs which may lead to internal organ damage rarely it may also lead to death. The clotting mechanism is altered due to the deficiency of the Von- Willebrand factor which is a key factor in the clotting process and they also carry the clotting factor VIII which is also an important clotting factor. The Von-Willebrand factor sticks to the platelets and it forms a clot when the blood vessels are injured and the bleeding is arrested or stopped. 1
Types of von Willebrand Disease 1
The three major types of VWD are Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.
Levels of Von-willebrand factor
Levels of factor VIII
No factor present
Acquired Von willebrand disease
Acquired in later stage of life Rare
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS 2
· Excessive bleeding during injury or surgery or dental work
· Excessive Nosebleeds
· Heavy menstrual bleeding
· Blood in urine or stools
· Von Willebrand factor antigen: The level of Von Willebrand factor is measured.
· Ristocetin cofactor activity: Ristocetin is an antibiotic used in measuring Von Willebrand factor works in the clotting process
· Factor VIII clotting activity: low levels and activity of factor VIII are measured
· Von Willebrand factor multimers: this helps in evaluating the specific structure of von Willebrand factor in blood, its protein complexes (multimers) and its molecules break down. This helps to identify the type of Von Willebrand disease.
· Platelet function test: measures the functions of the platelets. 1
Antifibrinolytic or Clot-stabilizing medications
Combination of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII
Altavera , Amethyst, Aviane, Canrese