von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder affecting both males and females. It arises from quantitative or qualitative defects of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and causes bleeding of mucous membranes and soft tissues. The aim of treatment is to correct the dual defect of haemostasis caused by the abnormal/reduced VWF and the concomitant deficiency of factor VIII (FVIII).
Centro Emofilia e Trombosi Angelo Bianchi Bonomi, Dipartimento di Medicina e Specialità Mediche, Università di Milano e IRCCS Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore, Italy. piermannuccio.mannucci@unimi.it