title: Measurement of von Willebrand factor as the marker of endothelial dysfunction in vascular diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  von Willebrand factor is a blood glycoprotein that is required for normal hemostasis. Its level can be increased by endothelial cell damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  von Willebrand factor is a suitable marker of endothelial dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  von Willebrand factor activity was determined by ELISA in patients with acute coronary syndromes, acute stroke and chronic vascular diseases, and was compared with the values of healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  von Willebrand factor activity of patients in each group was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of the control group. The values of patients with acute coronary syndrome and acute stroke were significantly higher (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) than those of patients with chronic vascular diseases. von Willebrand factor activity was significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome and acute stroke (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) on the sixth day than on admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By measuring von Willebrand factor activity, a considerable, significant difference could be found between healthy people and chronic and acute vascular patients. The routine measurement of von Willebrand factor activity in vascular patients as an index of endothelial dysfunction may have clinical importance, because detection of this marker can be a noninvasive way of assisting diagnosis and indicating disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, 1st Department of Medicine;
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Dalma
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hegedus
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szapary
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Marton
authors.forename: Tamas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alexy
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koltai
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Czopf
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Juricskay
authors.forename: Kalman
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kesmarky