Switch to pdVWF:pdFVIII concentrate for prophylaxis in a paediatric patient with Type 3 von Willebrand disease: a case report.

OBJECTIVES: To report the long-term prophylaxis management of a child with type 3 von Willebrand disease by switching to Wilate (Octapharma AG), a plasma-derived, double virus-inactivated concentrate of freeze-dried of a 1 to 1 ratio of active Von Willebrand Factor and Factor VIII (pdVWF:pdFVIII) recently marketed as Eqwilate in France. METHODS: This is a case report of 12.6-year-old boy with congenital Type 3 VWD who had a history of frequent bleeds. Prophylaxis started at the age of 38 months with FVIII-poor pdVWF concentrate (Wilfactin, LFB) and FVIII (Wilstart, LFB). Pharmacokinetics and thrombin generation assay were performed. Annualized bleeding rate was derived from the bleeding episodes documented in the medical record during a 24-month period before and after starting pdVWF:pdFVIII concentrate. RESULTS: Both product injections promptly raised the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP). However, the maximal concentration of formed thrombin was higher following pdVWF:pdFVIII injection. Due to a high bleeds frequency and better results regarding FVIII levels and thrombin generation, the prophylaxis regimen was changed to the same dose and frequency of pdVWF:pdFVIII concentrate (42 IU/kg per day, three times a week). During the last 24 months, annualized total, trauma, and spontaneous bleeding rates were 7.5, 4.5, and 3, respectively. These rates decreased to 2, 1.5, and 0.5 respectively during the next two years. The mother reported a marked improvement in the quality of life of his son and hers. CONCLUSION: Switch to pdVWF:pdFVIII concentrate for long-term prophylaxis in a young type 3 VWD patient was safe and effective in reducing bleeds.

Social participation is reduced in type 3 Von Willebrand disease patients and in patients with a severe bleeding phenotype.

INTRODUCTION: The negative impact of haemophilia on social participation is well established in previous studies, however, the impact of Von Willebrand disease (VWD) on social participation has not been studied. AIM: To compare the social participation of a large cohort of VWD patients in the Netherlands with the general Dutch population. In addition, to identify factors associated with social participation in VWD. METHODS: Patients participating in the "Willebrand in the Netherlands" study completed an extensive questionnaire on educational level, absenteeism from school or work, and occupational disabilities. RESULTS: Seven-hundred and eighty-eight VWD patients were included (mean age 38.9 years, 59.5% females), of whom 136 children < 16 years. Adult patients with type 3 VWD more often had a low educational level (52.9%) compared to type 1 (40.2%), type 2 VWD (36.8%) and the general population (36.4%) (p = .005). Moreover, in patients aged ≥16 years the days lost from school and/or work in the year prior to study inclusion differed significantly between the VWD types (p = .011). Using negative binomial regression analysis, the occurrence of bleeding episodes requiring treatment in the year preceding study inclusion was significantly associated with the number of days lost from school and/or work among patients aged ≥16 years. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that a higher total bleeding score, older age and presence of at least one comorbidity were significantly associated with occupational disability in patients aged ≥16 years. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that social participation was lower in type 3 VWD and VWD patients with a more severe bleeding phenotype.

Type 3 von Willebrand Disease in Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a hereditary bleeding disorder. Type 3 VWD is the most severe and rare phenotype that presents many challenges for management of pregnant women. The aim of this study was to review the maternal characteristics and complications in pregnant women with Type 3 VWD. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature search was performed to include all publications that address Type 3 VWD in pregnancy. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. There were 28 pregnancies with Type 3 VWD in 17 women. All were diagnosed with Type 3 VWD prior to pregnancy. Concentrate treatment was administered before delivery for 19 pregnancies and postpartum for 26 pregnancies. Eight pregnancies required blood products postpartum. Primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was reported in 48% (10/21) and secondary PPH was reported in 56% (5/9). Secondary PPH occurred between 7 and 22 days. No study reported hysterectomies, intensive care unit admissions, or maternal mortality. All 28 pregnancies resulted in 28 live births at term. CONCLUSION: Our review highlights the maternal outcomes in patients with Type 3 VWD and the different approaches in management during pregnancy and delivery. Despite prior knowledge of this bleeding disorder, PPH was still a significant complication.

Characterization of the mutation spectrum in a Pakistani cohort of type 3 von Willebrand disease.

INTRODUCTION: Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD), a severe autosomal recessive hereditary bleeding disorder, is described by the virtual absence of von Willebrand factor (VWF). In consanguineous populations, for example Pakistan, the disease is reported with a higher incidence rate than the worldwide prevalence. AIMS: This study aims to characterize molecular pathology and clinical profile of type 3 VWD cohort of Pakistani origin. METHODS: In total, 48 patients were enrolled in the current study. Initially, the index patients (IPs) were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire for recording bleeding manifestations and by performing conventional coagulation tests. The diagnosis of VWD type 3 was confirmed by VWF antigens less than 5 IU/dL. Direct sequencing of VWF gene (VWF) was carried out to identify causative gene variations. We evaluated the potential consequence of novel splice site and missense variations by predictive computational programs and in silico structural analysis. RESULTS: VWF mutations were detected in 46 out of 48 IPs (95.8%), predominantly as homozygous variants. In total, twenty-nine different gene defects were characterized in this cohort from which 10 (34.5%) are novel. The majority of the mutations were null alleles (66%; including gene conversions, nonsense, splice site variations, small deletions and insertions), and 34% of them were missense substitutions. CONCLUSION: Herein, we reported for the first time, the pattern of gene defects in Pakistani type 3 VWD cohort. We identified a wide heterogeneous mutation spectrum along with variability in the type of bleeding episodes.

Severe recurrent endometriomas in a young woman with congenital von Willebrand disease.

The pathophysiology of severe endometriosis in young women remains unknown. Menorrhagia, or heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, is the most common symptom experienced by women with von Willebrand disease (vWD) and represents a possible risk factor for developing endometriosis. A 17-year-old woman affected by vWD presented with severe dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding. After being diagnosed with multiple ovarian endometriomas, the patient underwent repeated surgeries due to suspicious appearance of recurrent pelvic masses. vWD may be a risk factor for developing severe endometriosis, and patients with endometriosis should be screened for vWD and other bleeding disorders. Ovarian endometriomas in such patients might present a more severe progression and unique ultrasound findings, mimicking malignancies.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia in two patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease.

: Angiodysplastic (AD) lesion is the most common cause of recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in inherited Von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients lacking high-molecular-weight multimers. Defect or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (VWF) may lead to enhanced endothelial cell proliferation followed by the development of neoangiogenesis and vascular malformation, which result in severe bleeding. Recurrent bleeding causing by GI AD is a challenging complication of VWD. The management of VWD could be difficult due to frequent recurrence and severity of bleeding episodes. The primary aim of management is not only to stop but also to prevent bleeding. We present two patients of type 3 VWD associated with AD and severe GI bleeding, which were successfully treated by endoscopic coagulation and prophylactic therapy with different regimens of plasma-derived VWF/factor VIII (pdVWF/FVIII) concentrate to maintain a trough level in the patient unresponsive to standard treatment.

Trasplante hepático en hemofilia A y enfermedad de von Willebrand tipo 3. Manejo perioperatorio y evolución postrasplante / Liver transplantation in hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease type 3: perioperative management and post-transplant outcome

Introducción: la infección por virus hepatitis C (VHC) ha sido causa de importante morbi-mortalidad en hemofilia, planteándose el trasplante hepático (TH) por cirrosis y/o carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC). Caso clínico: presentamos los casos con coagulopatías congénitas e infección por VHC sometidos a TH en nuestro centro: tres pacientes con hemofilia A y uno con enfermedad de von Willebrand (EvW) tipo 3. Evaluamos el curso de la coagulopatía, el manejo perioperatorio, el consumo de factor y componentes sanguíneos y la supervivencia postrasplante. El factor deficitario se comenzó a administrar en bolo iv directo una hora antes del inicio de la cirugía para alcanzar un nivel deseado de dicho factor de 100 UI/dl, mantenido hasta conseguir el control estable de la hemostasia. Los tres pacientes con hemofilia A curaron su coagulopatía postrasplante. El factor VIII (FVIII) fue 93 UI/dl a los once años, 59 UI/dl a los 13 meses y 109 UI/dl a los nueve meses postrasplante en cada uno de los casos. El consumo medio perioperatorio de concentrados de FVIII fue 175 UI/kg, infundido hasta 36 h postrasplante de media. El paciente con EvW tipo 3 consiguió atenuar el curso natural de su sintomatología hemorrágica sin que se detectaran niveles hemostáticos del antígeno del factor von Willebrand (FVW:Ag) postrasplante. Discusión: tras el trasplante hepático, se produce la curación de la hemofilia A y la mejoría del fenotipo hemorrágico en la EvW tipo 3

Introduction: infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients with hemophilia. Finally, patients are considered for a liver transplantation (LT) due to cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Case report: we report the cases of congenital coagulopathy and HCV infection that underwent LT in our institution. There were three patients with hemophilia A and one patient with von Willebrand disease (vWD) type 3. The coagulopathy outcome, perioperative management, factor and blood product usage and post-transplant survival were assessed. The deficient factor was initially administered in a direct bolus one hour before surgery with a target level of 100 IU/dl, which was sustained until stable hemostasis was reached. All three patients with hemophilia A were cured of their coagulopathy following transplantation. Factor VIII (FVIII) was 93 IU/dl at eleven years, 59 IU/dl at 13 months and 109 IU/dl at nine months post-transplant, in each case. The mean perioperative usage of FVIII concentrates was 175 IU/kg; concentrates were infused for an average of 36 hours post-transplant. The natural course of the bleeding symptoms of the patient with type-3 vWD was attenuated, with no detectable hemostatic levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) after transplantation. Discussion: after transplantation, hemophilia A cure and improved bleeding phenotype of type-3 vWD reduced morbidity and mortality. However, potential graft reinfection with HCV and relapsing HCC cast a shadow over these optimum results

Liver transplantation in hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease type 3: perioperative management and post-transplant outcome.

INTRODUCTION: infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients with hemophilia. Finally, patients are considered for a liver transplantation (LT) due to cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CASE REPORT: we report the cases of congenital coagulopathy and HCV infection that underwent LT in our institution. There were three patients with hemophilia A and one patient with von Willebrand disease (vWD) type 3. The coagulopathy outcome, perioperative management, factor and blood product usage and post-transplant survival were assessed. The deficient factor was initially administered in a direct bolus one hour before surgery with a target level of 100 IU/dl, which was sustained until stable hemostasis was reached. All three patients with hemophilia A were cured of their coagulopathy following transplantation. Factor VIII (FVIII) was 93 IU/dl at eleven years, 59 IU/dl at 13 months and 109 IU/dl at nine months post-transplant, in each case. The mean perioperative usage of FVIII concentrates was 175 IU/kg; concentrates were infused for an average of 36 hours post-transplant. The natural course of the bleeding symptoms of the patient with type-3 vWD was attenuated, with no detectable hemostatic levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) after transplantation. DISCUSSION: after transplantation, hemophilia A cure and improved bleeding phenotype of type-3 vWD reduced morbidity and mortality. However, potential graft reinfection with HCV and relapsing HCC cast a shadow over these optimum results.

Is gingival bleeding a symptom of type 2 and 3 von Willebrand disease?

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherent bleeding disorder. Gingival bleeding is a frequently reported symptom of VWD. However, gingival bleeding is also a leading symptom of plaque-induced gingivitis and untreated periodontal disease. In type 1 VWD gingival bleeding was not increased compared to controls. Thus, this study evaluated whether type 2 and 3 VWD determines an increased susceptibility to gingival bleeding in response to the oral biofilm. METHODS: Twenty-four cases and 24 controls matched for age, sex, periodontal diagnosis, number of teeth and smoking were examined hematologically (VWF antigen, VWF activity, factor VIII activity) and periodontally (Gingival Bleeding Index [GBI]), bleeding on probing [BOP], Plaque Control Record [PCR], periodontal inflamed surface area [PISA], vertical probing attachment level). RESULTS: BOP (VWD: 14.5±10.1%; controls: 12.3±5.3%; p = 0.542) and GBI (VWD: 10.5±9.9%; controls: 8.8±4.8%; p = 0.852) were similar for VWD and controls. Multiple regressions identified female sex, HbA1c, PCR and PISA to be associated with BOP. HbA1c and PCR were associated with GBI. Number of remaining teeth was negatively correlated with BOP and GBI. CONCLUSION: Type 2 and 3 VWD are not associated with a more pronounced inflammatory response to the oral biofilm in terms of BOP and GBI.

Congenital Type III von Willebrand's disease unmasked by hypothyroidism in a Shetland sheepdog.

A 7-year-old, spayed female Shetland sheepdog had sudden onset of right-sided epistaxis. Diagnostic tests revealed Type III von Willebrand's disease and primary hypothyroidism leading to an acute hypothyroid crisis and acquired factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency. Levothyroxine therapy normalized the serum thyroxine and FVIII concentrations. The delayed onset of disease and the reversible FVIII deficiency that was corrected with levothyroxine therapy, support a role for hypothyroidism in the pathogenesis of this dog's sudden bleeding tendency as has been seen with hypothyroidism in humans.

Maladie de Willebrand congénitale de type III mise au jour par l'hypothyroïdisme chez une chienne berger Shetland. Une chienne Shetland stérilisée âgée de 7 ans a manifesté l'apparition soudaine d'épistaxis du côté droit. Des tests diagnostiques ont révélé la maladie de von Willebrand de type III et l'hypothyroïdisme primaire provoquant une crise d'hypothyroïdisme aiguë et une déficience du facteur acquis VIII (FVIII). Une thérapie à la lévothyroxine a normalisé la thyroxine sérique et les concentrations de FVIII. L'apparition tardive de la maladie et la déficience réversible de FVIII, qui a été corrigée à l'aide de thérapie à la lévothyroxine, militent en faveur du rôle de l'hypothyroïdisme dans la pathogénèse de la tendance soudaine aux saignements de la chienne, comme nous l'observons dans l'hypothyroïdisme chez les humains.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Recurrent hemorrhage caused by type 3 von Willebrand disease in a domestic long-haired cat.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of spontaneous epistaxis in a cat with type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) and detail the successful management of hemorrhagic episodes on 2 occasions. CASE SUMMARY: A 3.6 kg, 1-year-old, female mixed-breed domestic long-haired cat presented for spontaneous epistaxis. Hemostasis testing at presentation revealed normal prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times, a slightly decreased platelet count of 168 × 10(9) /L [168 × 10(3) /µL] (reference interval 200-500 × 10(9) /L [200-500 × 10(3) /µL]) and prolonged buccal mucosal bleeding time of 168 seconds (reference interval <150 s). Specific activities of coagulation factors VIII, IX, XI, and XII were all within reference intervals. Plasma von Willebrand factor concentration, however, was markedly reduced at <0.1% of normal. These findings are compatible with a diagnosis of severe type 3 VWD. The initial occurrence of epistaxis resolved spontaneously soon after admission; however, the cat required a packed RBC transfusion for blood loss anemia. Desmopressin acetate was administered, but failed to arrest hemorrhage during a second episode of epistaxis 12 months later. The second episode was successfully controlled by transfusion of 6.7 mL/kg feline fresh frozen plasma. NEW AND UNIQUE INFORMATION: This is the first description of severe type 3 VWD in a domestic cat and only the second report of VWD in this species. Unlike human beings and primates with type 3 VWD, the affected cat did not have a concomitant deficiency of coagulation factor VIII or consistent prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time. Clinicians should therefore include VWD in the list of differentials for cats with signs of abnormal hemorrhage and confirm the diagnosis with specific measurement of plasma von Willebrand factor concentration.

Genetic heterogeneity in a large cohort of Indian type 3 von Willebrand disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Though von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common coagulation disorder, due to the complexity of the molecular analysis of von Willebrand factor gene (VWF), not many reports are available from this country. Large size of the gene, heterogeneous nature of mutations and presence of a highly homologous pseudogene region are the major impediments in the genetic diagnosis of VWD. The study is aimed at unravelling the molecular pathology in a large series of VWD patients from India using an effective strategy. METHOD: We evaluated 85 unrelated Indian type 3 VWD families to identify the molecular defects using a combination of techniques i.e. PCR-RFLP, direct DNA sequencing and multiple ligation probe amplification (MLPA). RESULTS: Mutations could be characterized in 77 unrelated index cases (ICs). 59 different mutations i.e. nonsense 20 (33.9%), missense 13 (22%), splice site 4 (6.8%), gene conversions 6 (10.2%), insertions 2 (3.4%), duplication 1 (1.7%), small deletions 10 (17%) and large deletions 3 (5.1%) were identified, of which 34 were novel. Two common mutations i.e. p.R1779* and p.L970del were identified in our population with founder effect. Development of alloantibodies to VWF was seen in two patients, one with nonsense mutation (p.R2434*) and the other had a large deletion spanning exons 16-52. CONCLUSION: The molecular pathology of a large cohort of Indian VWD patients could be identified using a combination of techniques. A wide heterogeneity was observed in the nature of mutations in Indian VWD patients.

Spectrum of Von Willebrand's disease in Punjab: clinical features and types.

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder caused by quantitative deficiency (Type-1 & Type-3 VWD) or qualitative defect of Von Willebrand's Factor (Type-2 VWD). Regarding VWD limited studies are available in Pakistan. The current study was aimed to determine the clinical presentation and frequency of types of VWD. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out from 16th December 2012 to 15th December 2013 on fifty one patients of VWD. RESULTS: Patients were diagnosed on the basis of prolonged bleeding time, abnormal APTT, reduced level of VWF: Ag, FVIII, VWF: RCo and ratio of VWF: RCo/VWF Ag. Among them 26 (50.98%) were male and 25 (49.02%) were female. Type3 VWD (94.12%) was found to be the commonest type. Two (3.92%) cases of type-2 VWD and only one (1.96%) case of type-1 VWD were identified. Easy bruising was the most commonly observed clinical presentation, 21 (41.18%) patients, followed by epistaxis 7 (13.73%), gum bleed 4(7.84%) menorrhagia 5(9.80%), haemarthosis 2(3.92%), haematoma formation 5 (9.80%), bleeding after circumcision 2 (3.92%), bleeding after surgery 2 (3.92%) and umbilical cord bleeding 3 (5.88%). Consanguineous marriages were reported in parents of 42 (82.4%) patients. Family history of bleeding disorder was reported in 44 (86.27%) of cases. CONCLUSION: Type-3 VWD was found to be the commonest type which can be attributed to the fact that type-3 VWD is transmitted through autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance and consanguineous marriages are highly practiced in our society leading to high frequency of this form of VWD. Easy bruising and epistaxis were concluded to be the most common clinical presentation. Menorrhagia was found to be common in the females of child bearing age.

Similarity in joint function limitation in Type 3 von Willebrand's disease and moderate haemophilia A.

Type 3 von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is a rare bleeding diathesis with complete or near complete deficiency of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and low factor VIII (FVIII) levels. In contrast, only FVIII is decreased in haemophilia A (HA). Both disorders are complicated by arthropathy. The purpose of this study was to further clarify the roles of FVIII and VWF: Antigen (VWF:Ag) in joint range of motion (ROM) loss over time. We compared joint ROM loss and other bleeding manifestations in 100 Type 3 VWD subjects (FVIII<5%) and 1814 moderate HA subjects (FVIII 1-5%) within the U.S. Universal Data Collection (UDC) database. High rates of bleeding were reported at baseline. During follow-up, moderate HA patients reported a joint (46% vs. 34%, P < 0.0001) or muscle bleed (27% vs. 16%, P < 0.0001) in a higher proportion of visits than VWD patients. Other bleeds, including mucosal, were reported in a greater proportion of visits among patients with Type 3 VWD than among those with HA (49% vs. 32%, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed no difference in joint ROM loss over time in the Type 3 VWD vs. moderate HA populations. A higher FVIII level was protective in both VWD and HA (P < 0.001). Our findings support the hypothesis of primacy of the FVIII level in determining risk of joint haemorrhage, and may help target therapy in Type 3 VWD and moderate HA to prevent joint disability.

Determinants of bleeding phenotype in adult patients with moderate or severe von Willebrand disease.

We performed a nation-wide cross-sectional study to evaluate determinants of bleeding symptoms in a large unselected cohort of adults with von Willebrand disease (VWD). VWD patients were included (n=664), based on lowest historically measured VWF:Ag and VWF:Act levels ≤30 U/dl. Menorrhagia (85%), cutaneous bleeding (77%), bleeding from minor wounds (77%) and oral-cavity bleeding (62%) occurred most frequently. Higher age was associated with a higher bleeding score (BS), determined according to Tosetto, in females. A 10 year increase in age was associated with 0.8 point (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4-1.1) higher BS. Females had higher BS than males (median 12 vs. 10, p=0.012). BS differed significantly between VWD type 1, 2 and 3: median 9 (-2-31), 13 (-1-33) and 19.5 (1-35), respectively (p<0.001). BS was strongly associated with VWF and FVIII levels: individuals with VWF:Ag levels ≤10 IU/dl, VWF:Act ≤10 IU/dl and FVIII:C ≤10 IU/dl had, respectively, 5.3 point (95%CI 3.2-7.3), 4.3 point (95%CI 2.9-5.8) and 9.6 point (95%CI 6.5-12.7) higher BS, than those with levels >30 IU/dl. In type 3 patients 1 IU/dl FVIII:C decrease was associated with 0.6 point (95% CI 0.1-1.1) BS increase (p=0.021). In conclusion, in VWD patients the bleeding phenotype is strongly associated with type of VWD and VWF and FVIII levels.