Summary
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a heterogeneous bleeding disorder caused by abnormalities
of von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWF levels vary widely in the general population,
and this variation is likely to be a major factor accounting for the incomplete penetrance
and variable expressivity of VWD. In addition, variation in VWF level may play an
important role in determining the risk of venous thrombosis. A large component of
the variation in VWF level in the general population has been shown to be attributable
to genetic factors. This review will focus on the current understanding of the genetic
causes for variation in VWF level, and will highlight future directions for getting
at the variable expressivity of von Willebrand disease.
Key words
Von Willebrand factor - von Willebrand disease - variable expressivity - ABO blood
group - thrombosis