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Category:

Bleeding Disorders

Number of Conditions: 1

von Willebrand Disease

Specialty: Hematology

Symptoms:
easy bruising; frequent nosebleeds; prolonged bleeding from cuts; heavy menstrual bleeding; excessive bleeding after surgery or dental procedures

Root Cause:
Deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), leading to impaired platelet adhesion and secondary clotting defects.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Coagulation studies (PT, aPTT), von Willebrand factor antigen and activity assays, and multimer analysis.

Treatment:
Desmopressin (DDAVP) for mild cases, vWF concentrates for severe cases, antifibrinolytics for bleeding prevention.

Medications:
Desmopressin (synthetic hormone to release stored vWF), vWF concentrates (replacement therapy), antifibrinolytics like tranexamic acid (to prevent breakdown of clots).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting approximately 1% of the population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of von Willebrand disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate management; most cases are mild.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe bleeding during surgery or trauma, menorrhagia-related anemia.