What does von Willebrand factor do in the blood?
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multimeric glycoprotein that performs two critical functions in primary hemostasis: it acts as a bridging molecule at sites of vascular injury for normal platelet adhesion, and under high shear conditions, it promotes platelet aggregation.
What is von Willebrand factor and what role does it play in blood?
Von Willebrand factor (vWF, or VWF), glycoprotein that plays an important role in stopping the escape of blood from vessels (hemostasis) following vascular injury. Von Willebrand factor (VWF) works by mediating the adherence of platelets to one another and to sites of vascular damage.
What does a high von Willebrand factor antigen mean?
Increased concentrations of VWF antigen and VWF activity are not considered diagnostic. VWF is one of many acute phase reactants. This means that levels will be temporarily increased with infections, inflammation, trauma, and with physical and emotional stressors.
What is normal von Willebrand antigen?
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.
What causes the release of von Willebrand factor?
The release platelet VWF from α-granules can be triggered by a variety of different agonists, including adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen and thrombin and this ensures ultra-large VWF multimers availability at site of vascular injury.
What causes von Willebrand disease (vWD) type 2B?
Type 2B von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by changes in von Willebrand factor (VWF) that enhance binding of VWF to GPIb on platelets. Although this disorder is seemingly well defined because of this single molecular defect, in reality type 2B VWD is a clinically heterogeneous disorder that can be difficult to identify and manage.
What are the different types of von Willebrand disease?
There are three major types of Von Willebrand Disease: type 1, type 2, and type 3. Von Willebrand refers to a medical condition that can lead to extended or excessive bleeding.
How is von Willebrand disease diagnosed?
von Willebrand disease can be diagnosed by a blood test and bleeding time test that measures the length of time it takes the bleeding to stop from a tiny incision in the inside of a dog’s gum.
What is the abbreviation for von Willebrand factor?
von Willebrand factor (VWF) (/ ˌ f ʌ n ˈ v ɪ l ɪ b r ɑː n t /) is a blood glycoprotein involved in hemostasis. It is deficient and/or defective in von Willebrand disease and is involved in many other diseases, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Heyde’s syndrome, and possibly hemolytic-uremic syndrome.