Von Willebrand factor (VWF) testing is
used to investigate excessive or recurrent bleeding episodes or a personal or family history of excessive bleeding
. Testing is used to help diagnose von Willebrand disease (VWD) and distinguish between the various types of VWD.
Is PTT elevated in von Willebrand?
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a hereditary deficiency of von Willebrand factor (VWF), which causes platelet dysfunction. Bleeding tendency is usually mild. Screening tests show a normal platelet count and, possibly, a slightly
prolonged
partial thromboplastin time (PTT).
What is normal range of VWF?
In the general population, the mean level of plasma VWF is 100 IU per dL, with a normal reference range
between 50 and 200 IU per dL
. The 5 percent of persons with VWF levels of less than 50 IU per dL include those with VWD and those with slightly low, but nondiagnostic, levels.
Is PT and PTT normal in von Willebrand disease?
Laboratory testing
The aPTT is often normal, but may be prolonged when the factor VIII (FVIII) level is reduced to below 30–40 IU/dL (normal range is approximately 50–150 IU/dL) as can be seen in severe type 1 VWD, type 2N VWD, or type 3 VWD. The
prothrombin time (PT) is normal in VWD
.
At what age is von Willebrand disease diagnosed?
76% of men with VWD had been diagnosed by
age 10
, but 50% of women with VWD were not diagnosed until after age 12.
What happens if aPTT is high?
A prolonged aPTT usually means that
clotting is taking longer to occur than expected
(but is associated with increased risk of blood clots if due to a lupus anticoagulant) and may be caused by a variety of factors (see the list below).
What labs shows von Willebrand disease?
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) …
- Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) Test. …
- Prothrombin Time (PT) Test. …
- Fibrinogen Test.
What is the prognosis of von Willebrand disease?
Outlook / Prognosis
Von Willebrand disease is
a lifelong condition
. For most people with the disease it doesn’t interfere with living active lives. Usually, it only needs to be addressed after a severe injury or if you need surgery.
How does von Willebrand disease affect the body?
Von Willebrand disease is a lifelong
bleeding disorder in which your blood doesn’t clot well
. People with the disease have low levels of von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps blood clot, or the protein doesn’t perform as it should.
How is von Willebrand disease different from hemophilia?
Like hemophilia, VWD is passed on through the genes from parent to child. But unlike hemophilia,
men and women have an equal chance of getting VWD
. It is possible for a person to have both von Willebrand Disease and hemophilia. Unlike hemophilia, people with VWD rarely bleed into their joints.
Why is PT normal in von Willebrand disease?
PT and aPTT
The prolongation is secondary to low levels of FVIII because one of the normal functions of vWF
is to protect FVIII from degradation
. The PT should be within reference ranges.
Can von Willebrand disease be cured?
Von Willebrand factor helps blood cells stick together (clot) when you bleed. If there’s not enough of it or it does not work properly, it takes longer for bleeding to stop.
There’s currently no cure for VWD
, but it does not usually cause serious problems and most people with it can live normal, active lives.
Does von Willebrand disease increased bleeding time?
When a person has VWD, because the VWF doesn’t work the way it should, the clot might take
longer
to form or form incorrectly and bleeding might take longer to stop. This can lead to heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding.
What is another name for von Willebrand’s disease?
Platelet-type von Willebrand disease (PT-VWD), also known as
pseudo-von Willebrand disease
, is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by prolonged bleeding time.
Can von Willebrand disease get worse?
This protein is called the von Willebrand factor. It helps your blood to clot by helping the platelets stick together. The disease is mild in most people.
It can stay the same or get better or worse as you get older
.
Can you have a baby with von Willebrand disease?
Pregnancy and Childbirth
With proper care, women with von Willebrand disease (VWD) can have
a successful pregnancy
and deliver a healthy child. A woman who has VWD should be monitored closely throughout her pregnancy by her doctors.
