title: von Willebrand's disease diagnosis and laboratory issues.
abstract: In this paper, the recent developments in the diagnosis and laboratory issues of von Willebrand's disease (VWD) are presented. Dr. Castaman reviews the functional tests available for the diagnosis of VWD and their pathophysiological significance, focusing on which tests are best used in the diagnosis and classification of VWD. Dr Montgomery reviews an emerging issue that is accelerated clearance of von Willebrand factor (VWF) occurring in some variants of VWD. This phenotype can be suspected by the presence of an increased ratio between the VWF propeptide and the VWF antigen. These patients have typically a robust, but short-lived increase of FVIII and VWF after desmopressin. Dr Meschengieser reviews the determinants of bleeding after surgery in patients with VWD, emphasizing the role of bleeding history in predicting this risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Therapy and Hematology, Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy. castaman@hemato.ven.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castaman
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Meschengieser
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Haberichter
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lazzari
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014841:von Willebrand Factor