logo
    von Willebrand disease: advances in pathogenetic understanding, diagnosis, and therapy
    68
    Citation
    56
    Reference
    10
    Related Paper
    Citation Trend
    Abstract:
    Abstract von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common autosomally inherited bleeding disorder. The disease represents a range of quantitative and qualitative pathologies of the adhesive glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (VWF). The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the type 2 qualitative variants of VWF are now well characterized, with most mutations representing missense substitutions influencing VWF multimer structure and interactions with platelet GPIbα and collagen and with factor VIII. The molecular pathology of type 3 VWD has been similarly well characterized, with an array of different mutation types producing either a null phenotype or the production of VWF that is not secreted. In contrast, the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for type 1 VWD remain only partially resolved. In the hemostasis laboratory, the measurement of VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo are key components in the diagnostic algorithm for VWD, although the introduction of direct GPIbα-binding assays may become the functional assay of choice. Molecular genetic testing can provide additional benefit, but its utility is currently limited to type 2 and 3 VWD. The treatment of bleeding in VWD involves the use of desmopressin and plasma-derived VWF concentrates and a variety of adjunctive agents. Finally, a new recombinant VWF concentrate has just completed clinical trial evaluation and has demonstrated excellent hemostatic efficacy and safety.
    Keywords:
    von Willebrand Disease
    Desmopressin
    Platelet disorder
    Summary. von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by quantitative (type 1 and 3) or qualitative (type 2) defects of von Willebrand factor (vWF). The molecular basis of type 2And 3 vWD are now known and those of type 1 vWD are being understood. Phenotypic diagnosis is based on the measurements of plasma and platelet vWF, of the ability of vWF to interact with platelet receptors and the analysis of the multimeric structure of vWF. Due to the heterogeneity of vWF defects and the variables that interfere with vWF levels, a correct diagnosis of types and subtypes may sometimes be difficult but is very important for therapy. The aim of treatment is to correct the dual defects of haemostasis, i.e. abnormal intrinsic coagulation expressed by low levels of factor VIII (FVIII) and abnormal platelet adhesion. Desmopressin is the treatment of choice in patients with type 1 vWD, who account for approximately 70% of cases, because it corrects FVIII–vWF levels and the prolonged bleeding time (BT) in the majority of these patients. In type 3 and in severe forms of type 1 and 2 vWD patients, desmopressin is not effective and it is necessary to resort to plasma concentrates containing FVIII and vWF. Treated with virucidal methods, these concentrates are effective and safe, but they cannot always correct BT defect. Platelet concentrates or desmopressin can be used as adjunctive treatments when poor correction of BT after plasma concentrate treatment is associated with continued bleeding.
    Desmopressin
    von Willebrand Disease
    Bleeding time
    Abstract: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is reportedly the most common inherited bleeding disorder, and can also arise as an acquired event where it is termed von Willebrand syndrome. Both arise from deficiency and/or defect of von Willebrand factor (VWF), an adhesive plasma protein that acts primarily to prevent bleeding by anchoring platelets to sites of vascular injury. Factor VIII is also proportionally reduced, due to loss of stabilizing and anti-proteolytic effect normally exerted by VWF on FVIII. Primary VWD management aims to protect against bleeding by replacement of VWF, and sometimes FVIII, using VWF/FVIII concentrates, and/or in some patients, administration of desmopressin (DDAVP) to permit release of endogenous VWF. Adjunct therapies such as anti-fibrinolytics and hormonal therapies in women may also be used, depending on the type and severity of VWD, the type and severity of the bleeding event, and whether therapy is for prophylaxis or treatment. Diagnosis and treatment of VWD involves comprehensive laboratory testing. This review outlines current diagnosis and treatment of VWD in Australia, and is part of an issue of this journal dedicated to diagnosis and treatment of VWD in different geographical localities.
    von Willebrand Disease
    Citations (8)
    Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a common bleeding disorder caused by quantitative or qualitative defects of the von Willebrand factor (vWF). The clinical management of vWD has evolved over the past few decades, but it continues to pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In current practice, desmopressin is the treatment of choice for type 1 vWD because it corrects the FVIII/vWF levels. However, in patients with type 3 vWD and some forms of type 1 and 2 vWD, desmopressin is not effective, and for these patients, replacement therapy containing FVIII and vWF concentrates are the mainstay of treatment.
    Desmopressin
    von Willebrand Disease
    Citations (0)
    von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by quantitative or qualitative defects of von Willebrand factor (vWF). The diagnosis is based on measurements of plasma and platelet vWF, the ability of vWF to interact with its platelet receptor and the analysis of the mutlimeric composition of vWF. Due to the heterogeneity of vWF defects, a correct diagnosis of types and subtypes may be sometimes difficult but is very important for an appropriate therapy. The aim of treatment is to correct the dual defects of haemostasis, i.e. abnormal coagulation expressed by low levels of factor VIII (FVIII) and abnormal platelet adhesion expressed by a prolonged bleeding time (BT). Desmopressin is the treatment of choice in patients with type 1 vWD, who account for approximately 80% of cases, because it corrects the FVIII/vWF levels and the prolonged BT in most of these patients. In type 3 and in the majority of type 2 vWD patients, desmopressin is not effective and it is necessary to resort to plasma concen‐trates containing FVIII and vWF. Treated with virucidal methods, these concentrates are effective and currently safe, but the BT defect is not always corrected by them. Platelet concentrates or desmopressin can be used as adjunctive treatments when poor correction of the BT after concentrates is associated with continued bleeding.
    Desmopressin
    von Willebrand Disease
    Bleeding time
    Introduction Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder, caused by a deficiency or defect of von Willebrand factor (VWF). In case of medical procedures or bleeding, patients are treated with desmopressin and/or VWF-containing concentrates to increase plasma VWF and factor VIII (FVIII). However, in many cases these factor levels are outside the targeted range. Therefore, population pharmacokinetic (PK) models have been developed, which aim to quantify and explain intraindividual and interindividual differences in treatment response. These models enable calculation of individual PK parameters by Bayesian analysis, based on an individual desmopressin test or PK profile with a VWF-containing concentrate. Subsequently, the dose necessary for an individual to achieve coagulation factor target levels can be calculated. Methods and analysis Primary aim of this study is to assess the predictive performance (the difference between predicted and measured von VWF activity and FVIII levels) of Bayesian forecasting using the developed population PK models in four different situations: (A) desmopressin testing (n≥30); (B) medical procedures (n=70; 30 receiving desmopressin, 30 receiving VWF-containing concentrate and 10 receiving a combination of both); (C) bleeding episodes (n=20; 10 receiving desmopressin and 10 receiving VWF-containing concentrate) and (D) prophylaxis with a VWF-containing concentrate (n=3 to 5). Individuals with all types of VWD and individuals with low VWF (VWF 0.30–0.60 IU/mL) will be included. Reliability and feasibility of PK-guided dosing will be tested by assessing predictive performance, treatment duration, haemostasis, patient satisfaction and physician satisfaction. Ethics and dissemination The OPTI-CLOT:to WiN study was approved by the medical ethics committee of the Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Results of the study will be communicated through publication in international scientific journals and presentation at (inter)national conferences. Trial registration number NL7212 (NTR7411); Pre-results, EudraCT 2018-001631-46.
    Desmopressin
    von Willebrand Disease
    Congenital von Willebrand disease (VWD) and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) reflect conditions caused by von Willebrand factor (VWF) deficiency and/or defects. VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder and AVWS arises from a variety of causes. Since VWF stabilizes and protects factor VIII (FVIII) in the circulation, this is also reduced in many patients with VWD. The treatment of VWD and AVWS therefore primarily entails replacement of VWF, and sometimes FVIII, to protect against bleeding. This may entail the use of VWF concentrates (currently plasma-derived) and/or FVIII concentrates (currently plasma-derived or more increasingly recombinant forms), and/or desmopressin to release endogenous VWF in subgroups of patients. For AVWS additional treatment of the underlying condition is also required. Adjunct therapies include antifibrinolytics. Globally, various formulations exist for both VWF and FVIII concentrates and are differentially available based on manufacturer marketing or regulatory approvals/clearances in different geographies. Also, guidelines for treatment of VWD vary for different localities and recombinant VWF is undergoing clinical trials. The current review provides an overview of the treatment of VWD as currently practiced in developed countries, and also provides a glimpse towards the future.
    Desmopressin
    von Willebrand Disease
    Citations (64)
    von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by quantitative (type 1 and 3) or qualitative (type 2) defects of von Willebrand factor (VWF). The mechanisms of most inherited VWD types have been recently elucidated by genetic and molecular diagnosis, but the phenotypic tests based on measurements of plasma and platelet VWF, the ability of VWF to interact with its platelet receptor, and the analysis of the multimeric composition of VWF are always essential to identify patients with different VWD subtypes. The aim of treatment is to correct the dual defects of hemostasis, ie, abnormal coagulation expressed by low levels of factor VIII (FVIII) and abnormal platelet adhesion expressed by prolonged bleeding time (BT). Desmopressin is the treatment of choice in most patients with type 1 and type 2 VWD, who account for 60 to 70% of cases. In type 3 and in some severe forms of type 1 and type 2 VWD, desmopressin is not effective, and it is necessary to resort to plasma concentrates containing FVIII and VWF. Treated with virucidal methods, these concentrates are effective and currently safe, but they do not always correct the BT defect. Platelet concentrates or desmopressin can be used as adjunctive treatments when poor correction of the BT after concentrates is associated with continued bleeding.
    Desmopressin
    von Willebrand Disease
    Bleeding time