Premium
Early transfusion of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor concentrates seems to be effective in the treatment of gatrointestinal bleeding in patients with von Willebrand type III disease
Author(s) -
Za E.,
Vianello F.,
Casonato A.,
Girolami A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
haemophilia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.213
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1365-2516
pISSN - 1351-8216
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2516.2001.00543.x
Subject(s) - medicine , angiodysplasia , von willebrand factor , gastrointestinal bleeding , von willebrand disease , surgery , blood transfusion , octreotide , embolization , gastroenterology , platelet , somatostatin
The association between gastrointestinal angiodysplasia and von Willebrand disease was reported 30 years ago. The clinical course of patients with von Willebrand disease and angiodysplasia is characterized by numerous admissions to hospital for gastrointestinal bleeding necessitating transfusion with packed red cells, factor VIII and plasma. The management of these patients is problematic. Numerous treatments for the gastrointestinal bleeding have been proposed: surgery, electrocoagulation, laser photocoagulation, sclerotherapy, arteriography with embolization, immunoglobulins, oestrogens, and octreotide, but no treatment modality has been successful in all cases. We report a 66‐year‐old‐female with small bowel angiodysplasia and von Willebrand type III disease in whom prompt administration of factor VIII/vWF concentrates was effective. Education of patients to recognize minimal gastrointestinal bleeding manifestations, periodical clinical visits and early infusion of factor VIII/vWF seems to be fundamental for the success of this therapy. A longer follow‐up and the study of other patients are needed to confirm our observation.