Acquired von Willebrand syndrome in systemic lupus erythematodes

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS) in systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE) is caused by autoantibodies directed against the circulating von Willebrand factor (vWF)/factor VIII (FVIII) complex. The autoantibody-vWF/FVIII antigen complex is cleared rapidly from the circulation, leading to a moderate to severe quantitative and qualitative deficiency of both vWF and FVIIIc. Consequently, AvWS in SLE is featured by a prolonged bleeding time and normal platelet count, a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and normal prothrombin time (PT), decreased or absent ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation (RIPA), and type II vWF deficiency on multimeric analysis of the vWF protein. Acquired von Willebrand syndrome type II in SLE responds poorly to 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) and FVIII concentrate, but responds transiently well to high-dose gammaglobulin given intravenously. All reported cases of AvWS in SLE were cured by appropriate treatment of the underlying autoimmune disease with prednisone or immunosuppression.