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Semin Thromb Hemost 2011; 37(5): 495-502
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1281034
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Nordic Haemophilia Council's Practical Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of von Willebrand Disease

Riitta Lassila1 , Pål André Holme2 , Andrea Landorph3 , Pia Petrini4 , Páll T. Onundarson5 , Andreas Hillarp6
  • 1Unit of Coagulation Disorders, Department of Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory Services, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • 2Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
  • 3Thrombosis and Hemostasis Unit, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 4The Coagulation Unit for Children, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
  • 5Department of Laboratory Hematology and Coagulation Disorders at Landspitali and University of Iceland School of Medicine, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • 6Malmö Centre for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, University and Regional Laboratories Region Scania. University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 November 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder characterized by spontaneous or tissue injury–related, mostly mucocutaneous, bleeding events. VWD affects both males and females and is caused by quantitative or qualitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor. The diagnostic procedure is complicated because VWD is highly heterogeneous, and differential diagnosis from platelet disorders may be challenging. Moreover, these defects may even coexist, impacting the bleeding phenotype. Mild and moderate VWD can be difficult to distinguish from the normal population, and VWD subtyping may also be problematic. This article summarizes the guidelines of the Nordic Haemophilia Council (NHC), which are intended to serve as a practical tool and provide the standards for diagnosing and treating VWD patients. The complete Nordic Guidelines on VWD are available at the NHC Web site (http://nordhemophilia.org).

KEYWORDS

von Willebrand disease - Nordic Haemophilia Council - Guidelines

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Riitta LassilaM.D. Ph.D. 

Unit of Coagulation Disorders

PoB 340, FI-00029HUS, Helsinki, Finland

Email: riitta.lassila@hus.fi