Increased levels of plasma von Willebrand factor in migraine crisis.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the participation of the vessel wall in the pathogenesis of migraine attack, we measured the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein secreted from the endothelial cells.


METHODS
17 patients suffering from migraine without aura and 25 healthy volunteers were studied. von Willebrand factor and platelet aggregation tests were studied by conventional methods.


RESULTS
The levels of vWF:antigen increased from 72.4 +/- 29 U/dl in the intercrisis to 130.2 +/- 75 U/dl during the attack (p < 0.01). We did not detect difference in the platelet aggregability in both phases. Plasma vWF activity measured as ristocetin cofactor (vWF:RCo) was similar in intercrisis and crisis (100.6 +/- 31 U/dl vs 94.5 +/- 44 U/dl).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a plasma release of vWF molecules during the migraine crisis. This feature is not platelet dependent and is probably a consequence of endothelial stress.
Cesar
J M
JM
Department of Haematology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
García-Avello
A
A
Vecino
A M
AM
Sastre
J L
JL
Alvarez-Cermeño
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D014841:von Willebrand Factor