Test ID: VWPR
von Willebrand Profile

Detection of deficiency or abnormality of von Willebrand factor and related deficiency of factor VIII coagulant activity

Subtyping von Willebrand disease as Type 1 (most common), Type 2 variants (less common), or Type 3 (rare)

Initial testing includes: coag factor VIII activity assay, von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, and VWF activity.  

If the factor VIII, VWF antigen, and VWF activity are normal, and VWF activity:VWF antigen ratio is > or =0.8, a computer-generated interpretive comment indicating no evidence of von Willebrand’s disease will be provided.

If VWF activity assay is <55%, VWF ristocetin cofactor activity assay will be performed. If VWF antigen is <55%, the VWF activity is <55%, or the VWF activity:VWF antigen ratio is <0.8, VWF multimer analysis will be performed.

If any test results are abnormal, all results will be reviewed by a coagulation consultant and a Special Coagulation Consultant Interpretation will be provided.

See von Willebrand Disease Profile in Special Instructions.

• Coagulation Studies
• von Willebrand Disease Profile
• Coagulation Patient Information Sheet

F8A/9070, F8IS/7289, IBETH/9122: Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time-Based Clotting Assay

VWAG/9051: Automated Latex Immunoassay (LIA)

VWFX/89792: Latex Particle Enhanced Immunoassay

RIST/9046: Ristocetin Induced Aggregation of Washed Normal Platelets

VWFM/31046: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis/Infrared Dye-Labeled Antibody Detection

See Coagulation Studies in Special Instructions.

Specimen Type: Platelet-poor plasma

Collection Container/Tube: Light-blue top (citrate)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vials

Specimen Volume: 3 mL in 3 plastic vials each containing 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimen must be drawn prior to factor replacement therapy.

2. Spin down, remove plasma, and spin plasma again.

3. Freeze specimens immediately at < or =-40 degrees C, if possible.

4. Send specimens in the same shipping container.

Additional Information:

1. Double-centrifuged specimen is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.

2. If priority specimen, mark request form, give reason, and request a call-back.

3. Each coagulation assay requested should have its own vial.

4. If multiple coagulation profiles are ordered, each profile must be on a separate order.

Forms: Coagulation Patient Information Sheet (Supply T675) in Special Instructions

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is synthesized by the endothelial cell and megakaryocyte and is present in these cells, as well as in platelets, subendothelial tissue, and plasma.

VWF serves as an adhesive protein important in adhering platelets to subendothelial tissue at the site of vascular injury and for adhering platelets to each other (aggregation). Platelet adhesion and aggregation are essential to form a mechanical hemostatic "plug" and as the focus for interaction of clotting factors and phospholipid required for the formation of the fibrin platelet clot. VWF also stabilizes plasma factor VIII by binding it and protecting it from proteolysis and serves as a carrier protein for that clotting factor.

VWF circulates in the blood in 2 distinct compartments. Plasma VWF mainly reflects VWF synthesis and release from vascular endothelial cells. Platelet VWF (about 10% of the blood VWF) reflects VWF synthesis by bone marrow megakaryocytes with storage primarily in the alpha granules of circulating platelets.

Plasma VWF circulates normally in multimeric forms with molecular weights ranging from 500,000 to as much as 20,000,000. The high- molecular-weight (HMW) forms of VWF are the most effective components for interaction with platelets. This primary activity of plasma VWF is measured in the laboratory with the VWF activity assay, whereas VWF antigen testing measures the amount of VWF protein, and factor VIII coagulant activity indirectly reflects VWF interaction with factor VIII. VWF multimer analysis visualizes the distribution of VWF multimers and is useful as a reflexive test for subtyping von Willebrand disease (VWD).

Levels of factor VIII, VWF antigen, and VWF activity may vary greatly within each individual over time and also with blood type (normal type "O" individuals may have VWF lower than normals of other blood groups). VWF levels (and factor VIII) can be elevated in liver disease, pregnancy, estrogen therapy, inflammation, and after exercise (acute-phase reactant). VWF levels in hemophilia are normal.

VWF antigen measurement assesses the mass of plasma VWF protein but does not reflect VWF functions or platelet VWF. The function of VWF (mediating platelet-platelet or platelet-vessel interaction) is most commonly assessed by measurement of plasma VWF activity.

VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting up to 1% of the population. It can also occur as an acquired bleeding disorder. Bleeding symptoms in all types of VWD are primarily mucosal, including epistaxis, menorrhagia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ease of bruising, but surgical or posttraumatic bleeding can also occur.

Subtypes of inherited VWD are:

Type 1 VWD

VWF plasma levels (antigen and activity) typically are both concordantly reduced in Type 1 VWD. Because of this reduction, the level of coagulation factor VIII is often secondarily reduced also. Type 1 VWD is the most common VWD variation, representing 70% to 80% of clinical VWD. It is typically inherited in autosomal dominance fashion, although recessively inherited VWD also occurs (eg, Type 3 VWD). Clinical severity ranges from mild or minimal to a moderately severe bleeding diathesis and tends to correlate most closely with VWF activity. Severe Type 1 disease is also called Type 3 VWD, but the distinction between the 2 may sometimes be difficult.

Type 2 VWD

Type 2 VWD variants represent 20% to 30% of clinical VWD, typically autosomal dominant in inheritance. There are 4 subtypes of Type 2 VWD: 2A, 2B, 2M, and 2N. Abnormal plasma HMW VWF function and multimeric structure with decreased or absent HMW multimers are characteristic of Types 2A and 2B, but are normal in Type 2M or 2N.

VWF activity is decreased in Types 2A, 2B, and 2M and typically is discordantly lower than VWF antigen. Type 2N (Normandy) has substantially decreased factor VIII coagulant activity (typically 5%-30% of mean normal), with normal VWF antigen and activity and normal VWF multimers with clinical manifestation as autosomally inherited mild hemophilia (in contrast to classical X chromosome-linked hemophilia A).

Type 2A is the most common of the 4. Type 2B manifests thrombocytopenia, either persistent or transient, and is distinguished from Type 2A by abnormally heightened aggregation response of patient platelets and plasma to low dose ristocetin stimulation. Type 2M typically demonstrates hypofunctional VWF with decreased VWF activity discordantly lower than VWF antigen not due to loss of HMW multimers. One variant of Type 2M, Vicenza variant VWD, has ultralarge VWF multimers in plasma.

Type 3 VWD

VWF is absent or markedly decreased in Type 3 VWD (VWF antigen and activity either undetectably low or below 5% to 10% of mean normal, with secondary decrease of factor VIII coagulant activity (5%-30%). VWF multimers may be undetectable or, if present, have a normal distribution. Platelet VWF may also be absent.

Acquired VWD

VWD can also occur on an acquired basis by a variety of mechanisms not well understood. Disorders associated with acquired VWD include certain myeloproliferative or lymphoproliferative disorders, plasma cell dyscrasias including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, autoimmune disorders (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), and a variety of other diseases. In some cases, no associated disorder is detected. Laboratory testing currently cannot distinguish between congenital and acquired VWD; clinical correlation is required.

FACTOR VIII ACTIVITY

55-200%

von WILLEBRAND FACTOR ACTIVITY

55-200%

von WILLEBRAND FACTOR ANTIGEN

55-200%

An interpretive report will be provided when testing is complete.

Testing should be performed prior to and in the absence of recent transfusion or von Willebrand factor (VWF) replacement therapy, (eg Humate P or DDAVP [desmopressin]). If the patient has received any such therapy, this information should be provided. von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients receiving Humate P therapy may have a VWF activity level 10% to 20% lower than the VWF ristocetin cofactor activity level. Low normal levels of VWF antigen or activity do not exclude possible diagnosis of VWD (repeat testing may be indicated). Use of estrogens may result in a mild increase in VWF levels, thus masking a diagnosis of mild VWD.

Borderline low or slightly decreased levels of VWF antigen or activity may be observed in clinically normal individuals of blood group "O."

This test is not useful for differentiating Type 2A versus 2B VWD or platelet-type VWD (pseudo-VWD). This differentiation requires ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation testing which must be performed using freshly obtained patient platelets and plasma.

Clinical correlation is required for differentiating acquired from congenital (hereditary) forms of VWD. Repeat testing may be helpful for confirming or evaluating low or borderline low levels of VWF (antigen and/or activity), especially when there is strong suspicion of VWD.

The milder forms of the disease, especially Type 1 VWD, can be difficult to diagnose or exclude, reflecting the variability of baseline VWF levels. In addition to demonstration of persistently decreased levels of VWF, clinical correlation is required for diagnosis of all VWD subtypes, especially mild Type 1 VWD.

Patient should not be receiving anticoagulant treatment (eg, heparin, Coumadin). If so, please note.

This test is not useful for detection of hemophilia carriers.

1. Federici AB, Mannucci PM: Advances in the genetics and treatment of von Willebrand disease. Curr Opin Pediatr 2002 Feb;14(1):23-33

2. Budde U, Schneppenheim R: von Willebrand factor and von Willebrand disease. Rev Clin Exp Hematol 2001 Dec;5(4):335-368

3. Kumar S, Pruthi RK, Nichols WL: Acquired von Willebrand disease. Mayo Clin Proc 2002 Feb;77(2):181-187

See Individual Unit Codes

Monday through Friday; Varies

85240-Coagulation factor VIII assay

85246-von Willebrand factor antigen

85397-von Willebrand factor activity

85245-von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity (if appropriate)

85247-von Willebrand factor multimer (if appropriate)

85335-Bethesda titer (if appropriate)

85335-Coagulation factor VIII inhibitor screen (if appropriate)

85390-26-Special coagulation interpretation (if appropriate)