title: A rapid assay for von Willebrand factor.
abstract: Multiple assays have been described which quantify von Willebrand Factor (vWF) in plasma or other specimens. An assay using a modification of the microtitre method(1) is described. Washed platelets fixed in formalin and frozen in dimethylsulfoxide are substrate for the reaction. Platelets, ristocetin and the specimen to be assayed are combined in the wells of a microtitre plate. The reaction is mixed for defined times and agglutination of platelets read visually. By adjusting the concentration of platelets, concentration of ristocetin and time, the sensitivity can be adjusted over a wide range.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaleski
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D012310:Ristocetin; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000097:blood; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D012310:Ristocetin