title: The use of desmopressin as a hemostatic agent: a concise review.
abstract: Desmopressin, a synthetic derivative of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, is the treatment of choice for most patients with von Willebrand disease and mild hemophilia A. Moreover, the compound has been shown to be useful in a variety of inherited and acquired hemorrhagic conditions, including some congenital platelet function defects, chronic liver disease, uremia, and hemostatic defects induced by the therapeutic use of antithrombotic drugs such as aspirin and ticlopidine. Finally, desmopressin has been used as a blood saving agent in patients undergoing operations characterized by large blood loss and transfusion requirements, but studies suggest that this is not as effective as other methods. This review briefly summarizes the current clinical indications on the use of desmopressin as a hemostatic agent.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusione, Centro Emofilia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona, Verona, Italy. mfranchini@univr.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchini
mesh_terms: D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin