von Willebrand Disease
von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a hereditary disorder characterized by abnormally slow clotting of the blood. Patients with von Willebrand disease may have spontaneous and prolonged bleeding from the nose and gums. VWD occurs in about one in 100 persons and affects both males and females.
von Willebrand disease occurs when one of the coagulation factors, called von Willebrand factor, does not work properly or when there is not enough in the blood. The lower the level of active von Willebrand factor in a person's blood, the more severe the disease. In many patients with von Willebrand disease, another coagulation factor, factor VIII, is also affected.
People with von Willebrand disease need to boost the level of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII in their blood. People with mild or moderate type 1 von Willebrand disease may be infused with the chemical DDAVP (desmopressin acetate) or use a high-concentrate nasal spray containing DDAVP. DDAVP causes the release of von Willebrand factor from storage sites in the body and increases the level in the blood. Patients with type 2 or type 3 von Willebrand disease may need replacement von Willebrand factor and factor VIII.
Your online von Willebrand Disease resource:
www.allaboutbleeding.com
Humate-P®
Antihemophilic Factor/von Willebrand Factor Complex (Human), Dried, Pasteurized
www.Humate-P.com
Stimate®
(desmopressin acetate)
Nasal Spray, 1.5 mg/mL