Von Willebrand disease

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Blood clot formation

Blood clots

Medications such as desamino-8-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) can be given to raise the levels of von Willebrand factor, which will reduce the tendency toward bleeding.

In February 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Alphanate to decrease bleeding in patients with the disease who must have surgery or other invasive procedure.

Blood plasma or certain factor VIII preparations may also be used to decrease bleeding.

Some types of von Willebrand disease do not respond to DDAVP. Tests should be done to determine a patient's specific type of von Willebrand disease, before trauma or surgery occurs. A trial of DDAVP can be done prior to surgery to test whether von Willebrand factor levels increase.

Women who have this condition generally do not experience excessive bleeding during childbirth.

Since this disease is inherited, genetic counseling may be recommended for parents.

Post-operative hemorrhage (bleeding) may occur.

If you have von Willebrand disease, do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen without talking to your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if bleeding occurs without reason.

If you have von Willebrand disease and are scheduled for surgery or are in an accident, be sure you or your family notify the health care providers about your condition.

Review Date: 02/07/2006
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.