Von Willebrand Disease Research Paper

Von Willebrand Disease

Von Willebrand Disease or VWD for short is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting more than 1% of the world’s population. It was discovered by Dr. Erik Von Willebrand, a Finnish physician, who published his findings in 1926. Von Willebrands Disease is caused by the lack of Von Willebrand Factor or VWF in circulation in the body. Von Willebrand is described as:

Von Willebrand Factor is synthesized in two cell types, vascular endothelium and megakaryocytes. The secreted Von Willebrand Factor protein comprises a repeated 2,050 amino acid subunit that is processed into large polymers of the protein. Each of these subunits contains binding sites for collagen, FV11, and platelets. Normal regulation of the various binding sites on the Von Willebrand Factor subunit are essential for the physiological function of Von Willebrand Factor…Von Willebrand Factor is either secreted into the plasma or sub endothelium, or store in cytoplasmic organelles in the endothelium and platelets. Von Willebrand Factor can be released from these stores in response to a variety of physiological and pharmacological stimuli. (Lillicrap)

An easy way of understanding Von Willebrand Disease is, “Von

It is very rare but someone can be diagnosed with Von Willebrand Disease without any family history of the disease, the cause is from a spontaneous mutation. When diagnosing for Von Willebrand Disease the doctor will ask numerous questions about the patients history and family history, “The evaluation of a person for possible Von Willebrand Disease or other bleeding disorders may be initiated because of a variety of clinical indications...medications, history, unusual bruising, uncontrollable bleeding.”(Nichols) Some tests that may be used to help diagnosis are a complete blood count, activated partial thromboplastin time test, prothrombin time test, and fibrinogen